Retrieving Ammonite Fossils

Lost but then they were found.  We have been sent two Ammonite fossils (Dactylioceras spp.) that were part of our extensive collection of fossils from Lower Jurassic strata of North Yorkshire.  Although these Jurassic fossils of Cephalopod Molluscs are common and we do have lots of Ammonite fossils in our collection it was great to see these two specimens again.

Ammonite Fossils Back in Everything Dinosaur’s Collection

Back into the Fold

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

Such fossils have become part of ancient folklore, they are referred to as “snakestones”.    The snakestone term is believed to have come from the Whitby area (North Yorkshire), although there are references to such stones from Somerset as well.  The Whitby connection is that the Saxon Abbess St Hilda, on finding an area of land infested with snakes, turned all the reptiles into stones so that an abbey could be built.  As locals wondered why no heads of the snakes had been preserved, only the coiled bodies, heads were often carved onto specimens to make them look more authentic.  Some holotype specimens making up important museum collections have a snake carving on them, we think the holotype for the Ammonite species Dactylioceras commune may be such an example.

There were no snake heads preserved as these fossils are the chambered, coiled shells of Cephalopods related to cuttlefish and squid.

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

Some Brachiopod fossils (Ludlow Series, Much Wenlock Formation) an example of the fossils found on a recent visit to the Mortimer Forest (south Shropshire, England), by Everything Dinosaur team members.

Wonderful Dinosaur Tooth

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

A photograph of a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth along with the accompanying Everything Dinosaur T. rex fact sheet as written and researched by our very own dinosaur experts.  A very good quality replica of a Theropod tooth.  The classic profile and the “D-shaped” cross section of a typical Tyrannosaur tooth can clearly be seen in this museum quality replica.

Future Fossil Material?

Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

Team members at Everything Dinosaur were working on some fossilised wood sent to us from the western United States.  We discussed how the fossilisation of wood takes place, the various ways fossils of plant material can occur – carbonisation, petrification etc.

Lyme Regis full of fossils

 Picture Credit: Everything Dinosaur

A handful of fossils found on a quick visit to Monmouth beach to the west of Lyme Regis (Lower Jurassic Beds), Ammonites, Belemnites plus a small piece of fossilised bone, a fragment of an Ichthyosaur perhaps?  We had great fun fossil hunting on the beach.