Ichthyosaur Fossil.

A very rare fossil Ichthyosaur from from the Lower Jurassic Black Ven, Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, UK. Approx. 200,000,000 years old. A near complete (with only the rostrum missing) juvenile specimen with a high level of soft tissue preservation and as such is an exceptionally uncommon find. Although a juvenile, this still makes for a very large and displayable piece measuring 26" x 16", with the fossil itself measuring 23.75" long.

Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs, but represent a separate group of marine vertebrates. Because ichthyosaurs were so specialized and modified for life in the ocean, we don't really know which group of vertebrates were their closest relatives.

They might have been an offshoot of the diapsids — the great vertebrate group that includes the dinosaurs and birds, the pterosaurs, the lizards and snakes, and many other vertebrates. On the other hand, some have suggested that the ichthyosaurs were descended from a distant relative of the turtles.

Spectacular Largest Pentacrinites Crinoid Fossil.

On offer here is something rather special. A stunningly detailed Crinoid fossil, Pentacrinites fossilis, from Lyme Regis, England, measuring approx. 6 feet tall by 4 feet across, making this the single largest genuine example ever recovered. Six complete Calyx (Heads) with beautiful gold Pyrite stalks (a colouration and shine difficult to pick up with the camera) that provides fantastic contrast between crinoid and matrix. This piece has some of the finest detail of the intricate fronds we have ever seen.

100% genuine, and NOT a composite of fragments from different locations, just remounted as is necessary for all Pentacrinites fossils. A single fragment of these fossils is uncommon. A piece measuring a foot square is extremely rare. A specimen measuring 6 foot by 4 foot is one of a kind!

As always, you are welcome to come and view the fossil at our showroom... The photos here do not fully convey the scale and quality of this piece. The fossil is suspended approx. 1" off from the solid white backing by means of removable mounting bolts. The effect of this is extremely aesthetic - ideally suited to the discerning collector and museums alike.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance.

Click on the images below for closer views.

Multi Caloceras johnstoni Ammonite Fossil death assemblage.

This is a huge single piece originally dug out by hand in the 1960's from Watchet on the north coast of Somerset, UK. This is the last of the large plates from a private collection purchased by us 2 years ago. The slabs were left unprepared for many years since collecting, but have now been fully prepared by us to the highest standard here at The Fossil Farm.

There is over a month's worth of prep work on this single piece. The matrix measures just over 5ft x 3ft across and averages 2" thick. This is a SINGLE piece reassembled as found, displaying over 20 complete Ammonites plus numerous partials. This has been kept as found and is NOT a mish-mash assemblage of different specimens. The shale matrix has been painstakingly ground "gem smooth" to show the Ammonites in their full multicoloured glory.

This item is supplied with a two part stainless steel wall bracket, which holds the piece approx. 0.5" out from the wall. This is a tried and tested design of ours. It is easily mounted and is invisible when on display. This bracket provides maximum stability whilst keeping the lowest possible profile from the wall. All you need is a wall and some screws!

Because the site is SSSI and on the world heritage list, fossil collecting from the area is now prohibited. This means that if you want one of the nicest display pieces money can buy, nows your chance.

The Caloceras johnstoni were free swimming members of the order Ammonitina, super family Psilocerataceae, subfamily Psilococeratinae. Caloceras johnstoni date from the Hettangian - the lowest of the lower lias. They represent one of the earliest forms of Ammonites found in the Jurassic. The preservation of both adult and juvenile specimens suggests that this assemblage is the result of a dramatic environment change.

These thin-walled Ammonites are crushed, as are most of the Ammonites found in this locality. Flattening of the specimen has increased the area of iridescence of the shell, which is composed of alternating layers of aragonite and conchiolin or the minerals that have replaced them during fossilization. These not only transmit light but also diffract it, acting as a Rowland prism to divide light into its component parts while reinforcing certain wave lengths, in this case spectacular greens, reds and yellows (and even some turquoise), much as the prisms do in satellites that study the chemical composition of the stars.

If you are fortunate enough to live locally why not come and view the item in person. This is a very large and therefore heavy item. We will ship overseas and to this end can provide quotes if you email us.

Please click on the images for closer views.

Complete Oreodont Fossil.

A complete Oreodont skelton from the Brule Formation of Scenic, South Dakota. A rare fossil from the Oligocene Epoch and has the scientific name Merycoidodon culbertsoni. A large and very displayable piece measuring 22.3" x 14.2" x 3.5". The specimen exhibits excellent preservation of teeth and bones. A superb articulated piece.

Sometimes called a prehistoric "ruminating hog," (although they were neither Ruminants nor hogs), the typical oreodont ("Mountain teeth") was a sheep-sized (though some genera grew to the size of cattle), cud-chewing plant-eater with a short face, tusk-like canine teeth, heavy body, long tail, short feet, and four-toed hooves.

The animals would have looked rather sheep-like, but features of their teeth indicate that they were more closely related to camelids. They were most likely woodland and grassland browsers, and were widespread in North America during the Oligocene and Miocene.

Later forms diversified to suit a range of different habitats. For example, Promerycochoerus had adaptations suggesting a semi-amphibious lifestyle, similar to that of modern hippos..

A very special fossil indeed, a genuine piece of Marston Ammonite marble. From the collection of J.W Kerkveld, sold off at auction some 4 years ago. I was lucky enough to be at that auction but as fate would have it, traffic was awful and I only got there in time to bid on the last fossil lot of the day. "1 box containing Ammonites" was the description.

Unfortunately the entire collection had been split into over 40 separate groups of fossils but this was the only box containing Ammonites. The story of the Marston Magna marble is really something of a legend amongst fossil collectors world wide, mainly due to the fact that the exact location of the find has been lost to history...

Legend has it that a large slab of this charcoal grey stone was found within the confines of the church graveyard when they were digging a well and that it was found at 74ft depth making it hard to find. Although not actually looking for stone (they were after the water) they soon found a use for it making decorative headstones for the graveyard and a few table tops.

If you take a look around the British Museum of Natural History, you will see they have only one small marker stone left.

All the other headstones have been removed from the churchyard over the years by thieves, and as I have already said its down so deep anyhow that collecting is impossible so replacement of the stone is out of the question.

This piece measures a huge 22" x 17" x 3.5", (approx. 2 feet by 1 1/2 feet) weighing over 25kg. The piece was bought by us as an uncut, part prepared slab, and has been fully prepared by us. There has been no repair to this piece whatsoever. It exhibits stunning detailing of over 1500 Promicroceras marstonensis, Asteroceras smithii and Xiphoceras sp. Ammonties. Beautifully intricate black, brown and golden Calcite replacement of the Ammonite chambers and suture lines, with original white shells still visible. The golden Calcite veins have been exposed proud for additional aesthetic depth.

The range of small Ammonites in such abundance supports the view that this fossil is a result of a mass mortality due to an Algal bloom in a breeding ground. This is truly a one-off piece of exceptional quality and desirability. A stable, attractive and extremely significant piece - one of the most prolific mass mortality fossils ever to have been discovered in the UK. Worthy of the worlds finest collections.

Edmontosaurus sp. Dinosaur Jaw Fossil.

Edmontosaurus was a hadrosaurid dinosaur genus from the Maastrichtian, the last stage of the Cretaceous Period, 71-65 million years ago. Depending on the species, a fully-grown adult could have been up to 9 metres (30 ft) long, and some of the larger specimens reached the range of 12 metres (40 ft)[1] to 13 metres (43 ft) long. Its weight was in the region of 4.0 tonnes (4.4 short tons), making it one of the largest hadrosaurids. It resembled Maiasaura in its shape and posture, though the two genera were quite different in size.

A superb example of jaw section with bone from the Upper Cretaceous of Dakota, U.S.A. The piece measures 23" x 8.25" x 8.25" in total.

Psittacosaurus Dinosaur Fossil.

The "creme de la creme" of Dinosaur fossils, a superbly preserved fossil Psittacosaurus meileyingsis from Meileyingzi, Shengli, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, China.

Sympathetically and anatomically correctly re-assembled in the U.K. with clay matrix. A large example with excellent bone preservation and overall completeness. A very sought after fossil.

The Psittacosaurus represents the pinnacle of Dinosaur fossils available to collectors- most other Dinosaur species are confined to museums. Even so, examples of this quality do not come up very often. The complete piece measures 29" x 26.5".

Edmontosaurus sp. Jaw Fossil.

Edmontosaurus was a hadrosaurid dinosaur genus from the Maastrichtian, the last stage of the Cretaceous Period, 71-65 million years ago. Depending on the species, a fully-grown adult could have been up to 9 metres (30 ft) long, and some of the larger specimens reached the range of 12 metres (40 ft)[1] to 13 metres (43 ft) long. Its weight was in the region of 4.0 tonnes (4.4 short tons), making it one of the largest hadrosaurids. It resembled Maiasaura in its shape and posture, though the two genera were quite different in size.

A superb specimen with teeth intact. Wonderful structure and detail. The piece measures 9.25" x 5.5" x 2".

Miocene Rhinoceras Skull Fossil.

An extremely rare fossil skull of Rhino from the Miocene of China, measuring 22" x 16" x 8.5". Excellent preservation of teeth and roots. A large and very aesthetically recognisable piece.

Caenopus occidentalis Skull Fossil, White River Formation, South Dakota.

Caenopus occidentalis was a rhinoceros species that lived in North America during the Oligocene (38-26 million years ago). Caenopus was closely related to the rhinos of today. It is classified in the same family as the modern rhinos, which is Rhinoceratidae. However, Caenopus was a hornless rhinoceros. Caenopus was a large animal; it grew to as much as 8 feet in length. The piece measures 19.5" x 12.75" x 6.5". A superbly preserved display piece, supplied with wood plinth and identification plaque.

Multi Caloceras johnstoni Ammonite Fossil

This is a huge single piece originally dug out by hand in the 1960's from Watchet on the north coast of Somerset, UK. This is the last of the large plates from a private collection purchased by us 2 years ago. The slabs were left unprepared for many years since collecting, but have now been fully prepared by us to the highest standard here at The Fossil Farm.

There is nearly a month's worth of prep work (two people) on this single piece. The matrix measures just over 34.5" x 32" across (just under 3 foot square) and averages approx. 1.5" thick. This is a SINGLE piece reassembled as found, displaying over 12 complete Ammonites plus numerous partials. The shale matrix has been painstakingly ground "gem smooth" to show the Ammonites in their full multicoloured glory.

Because the site is SSSI and on the world heritage list, fossil collecting from the area is now prohibited. This means that if you want one of the nicest display pieces money can buy, nows your chance.

The Caloceras johnstoni were free swimming members of the order Ammonitina, super family Psilocerataceae, subfamily Psilococeratinae. Caloceras johnstoni date from the Hettangian - the lowest of the lower lias. They represent one of the earliest forms of Ammonites found in the Jurassic. The preservation of both adult and juvenile specimens suggests that this assemblage is the result of a dramatic environment change.

These thin-walled Ammonites are crushed, as are most of the Ammonites found in this locality. Flattening of the specimen has increased the area of iridescence of the shell, which is composed of alternating layers of aragonite and conchiolin or the minerals that have replaced them during fossilization. These not only transmit light but also diffract it, acting as a Rowland prism to divide light into its component parts while reinforcing certain wave lengths, in this case spectacular greens, reds and yellows (and even some turquoise), much as the prisms do in satellites that study the chemical composition of the stars.

If you are fortunate enough to live locally why not come and view the item in person. This is a very large and therefore heavy item. We will ship overseas and to this end can provide quotes if you email us.

Please click on the images for closer views.

Pliocene Hippopotamus Jaw Fossil.

A very large fossilized Hippo lower jaw with tusks attached. From the upper Pliocene of Java. The only one of its kind available anywhere on the internet.

A knockout display piece measuring 23" x 18" x 10.5".

Elephant Bird Egg Fossil.

Elephant birds are an extinct family of flightless birds comprising the genera Aepyornis and Mullerornis. The elephant birds, which were giant ratites native to Madagascar, have been extinct since at least the 16th century. Aepyornis was the world's largest bird, believed to have been over three meters (10 feet) tall and weighing close to half a ton.

The Giant Elephant Bird Egg is the largest known bird egg. This spectacular example measures 12" tall with an approximate diameter of 9". The piece exhibits superb shell detail. 100% genuine fossil - this is not a cast!

A very detailed Scyphocrinus elegans Crinoid multi plate fossil from Morocco (Silurian period), measuring a very large 41" x 31" x 3". Very solid and stable. The specimens exhibit superb preservation throughout, and have excellent definition of fossil from matrix. Beautiful colouring, which is a nice change from the greyscales of many of the Chinese specimens.

A stunning display piece and one of the finest I have seen, easily the best on ebay, with over a dozen highly detailed heads. Specimens of this quality have now become extremely difficult to obtain due to the exhaustion of the Djebel Issoumour beds.

Crinoids are part of a large group of marine invertebrate animals called echinoderms. Other echinoderms include starfish, brittle stars, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Crinoids are unusual looking animals because they resemble plants more than animals. Crinoids are more commonly known as "Sea Lillies", a colloquial nomenclature which relates to their flower-like appearance. Please click on the detailed images for closer views.

Multi Crawfordsville Crinoid Fossil.

A superb multi Crinoid fossil from the Mississippian epoch, Edwardsville Formation, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Superbly detailed multi specimen. The piece measures 16" x 14" x 2".

An exceptional item in superb condition, offering a unique opportunity to obtain a dream specimen. The quality of preparation on this piece is outstanding.

Dinosaur Eggs Fossil.

Genuine Dinosaur eggs with excellent shape and shell preservation. The complete piece measures 12.2" x 8.6" x 7.1".

It is impossible to tell which species of Dinosaur these eggs are from, without removing any potential embryonic remains from within. However, these are most likely to be that of the Late Cretaceous Hadrosaur. From the Xixia basin, Henan province, China.

Dinosaur Eggs Fossil.

Genuine Dinosaur eggs with excellent shape and shell preservation. The complete piece measures 19" x 10" x 7".

It is impossible to tell which species of Dinosaur these eggs are from, without removing any potential embryonic remains from within. However, these are most likely to be that of the Late Cretaceous Hadrosaur. From the Xixia basin, Henan province, China.

Ichthyosaur Paddle Fossil.

A stunning complete example of fossil paddle of Temnodontodaurus platyodon from the Lower Jurassic Black Ven, Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, UK. Approx. 200,000,000 years old. A huge specimen measuring 13.5" long, reset on local matrix measuring 22.7" x 14.6". A truly museum grade example of this famous and sought after species.

Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs, but represent a separate group of marine vertebrates. Because ichthyosaurs were so specialized and modified for life in the ocean, we don't really know which group of vertebrates were their closest relatives.

They might have been an offshoot of the diapsids — the great vertebrate group that includes the dinosaurs and birds, the pterosaurs, the lizards and snakes, and many other vertebrates. On the other hand, some have suggested that the ichthyosaurs were descended from a distant relative of the turtles.

Harpactocarcinus Crab Fossil.

Here is a wonderful and very rare Crab fossil from the famous Monte Baldo Limestone near Verona, Italy. 100% genuine, with fantastic preservation throughout. Dating from the Eocene Epoch, this is not to be confused with modern incarnations.

Harpactocarcinus Crab Fossil.

Here is a wonderful and very rare Crab fossil from the famous Monte Baldo Limestone near Verona, Italy. 100% genuine, with fantastic preservation throughout. Dating from the Eocene Epoch, this is not to be confused with modern incarnations.

A very attractive matrix measuring 7" x 7.5" x 4". Stunning three-dimensional preparation.

Dinosaur Vertebra Fossil.

A very large vertebra of Apatosaurus sp. (aka. Brontosaurus) measuring 10.6" x 8" x 5.7". A very complete example with minimal repair.

Jimbacrinus Crinoid Fossil.

A fine example of fossil Crinoid, Jimbacrinus bostocki, from the Cundlego Formation, Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia. Dates from the Permain (Late Artinskian). Approx. 270,000,000 years old. A large and highly displayable multi specimen on original matrix measuring 15.5" x 14" x 2". Superb detailing of stems and wonderfully 3D inflated calyxes on this rare and sought after species.

Jimbacrinus Crinoid Fossil.

A fine example of fossil Crinoid, Jimbacrinus bostocki, from the Cundlego Formation, Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia. Dates from the Permain (Late Artinskian). Approx. 270,000,000 years old. A large and highly displayable multi specimen on original matrix measuring 21" x 13.25" x 2". Superb detailing of stems and wonderfully 3D inflated calyxes on this rare and sought after species.

Multi Eurypterid Fossil.

A superb multi Eurypterid fossil, Eurypterus remipes measuring 11.6" x 9.5" x 1.2" Six juvenile specimens with excellent definition of fossils from matrix. from the Silurian Fiddler's Green Formation of Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Eurypterids (sea scorpions) are an extinct group of arthropods related to arachnids, which include the largest known arthropods that ever lived. They are members of the extinct class Eurypterida (Chelicerata). The word Eurypterid comes from the Greek word eury meaning "broad" or "wide" and the Greek word pteron meaning "wing". They predate the earliest fishes.

The largest, such as Jaekelopterus, reached 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) or more in length, but most species were less than 8" long. They were formidable predators that thrived in warm shallow water in the Ordovician to Permian from 460 to 248 million years ago. Although informally called 'sea scorpions', only the earliest ones were marine (later ones lived in brackish or freshwater), and they were not true scorpions. According to theory, the move from the sea to fresh water probably occurred by the Pennsylvanian period..

Aeger spinipes Fossil Shrimp from Solnhofen, Germany.

A large specimen of Aeger spinipes fossil Shrimp from the famous Upper Jurassic Limestone (approx. 150,000,000 years old) of Eichstätt, Solnhofen, Germany. The shrimp measures 5.4" long on original matrix measuring 27" x 22.5" x 0.3".

A rare find of this size and quality. 100% genuine with exquisite preservation and detail throughout. The fossil is superbly presented on the matrix with fantastic preparation. A truly knockout display specimen.

Cladocyclus Fossil Fish.

A large fossil fish, Cladocyclus sp. from the famous Cretaceous Santana Formation of Ceara, Brazil. Approx. 110,000,000 years old. A fine example of this sought after species, complete on original matrix measuring 28.5" x 9.9". The matrix exhibits two lines of repair, which have been well executed and do not detract from the quality of this piece. Terrific scale and fin detail on this very recognizable piece, with complete skull showing teeth in situ.

Dinosaur Eggs Fossil.

Genuine Dinosaur eggs with excellent shape and shell preservation. The complete piece measures 10.3" x 5.7" x 5.2".

It is impossible to tell which species of Dinosaur these eggs are from, without removing any potential embryonic remains from within. However, these are most likely to be that of the Late Cretaceous Hadrosaur. From the Xixia basin, Henan province, China.

Tumidocarcinus giganteus fossil Crab from the Miocene of Waipara, North Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Approx. 15,000,000 years old.

A fine and large example measuring 7.7" x 5.8" x 3.3", uncommon at this size. A very detailled specimen throughout and a superb display piece.

Mesosaur Fossil.

A fine example of the primitive Reptile, Mesosaurus braziliensis. From the from the Lower Permian, Irati Formation of Southern Brazil. A wonderfully complete genuine specimen showing excellent detail of all bones, including the intricate digits and vetrebrae. The piece measures 7.6" x 5.5" x 0.7".

Dinosaur Vertebra Fossil.

A fossil vertebra of Iguanodon from the Lower Cretaceous Wealden Beds of Yaverland, Isle of Wight, UK. Approx. 120,000,000 years old. A large example measuring 9" x 5.6" x 5.3".

Iguanodon is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived roughly halfway between the first of the swift bipedal hypsilophodontids and the ornithopods' culmination in the duck-billed dinosaurs.

Many species of Iguanodon have been named, dating from the Kimmeridgian age of the Late Jurassic Period to the Cenomanian age of the Late Cretaceous Period from Asia, Europe, and North America. However, research in the first decade of the 2000s suggests that there is only one well-substantiated species: I. bernissartensis, that lived from the Barremian to the early Aptian (Early Cretaceous) in Europe, between about 130 and 120 million years ago.

Iguanodon's most distinctive features were its large thumb spikes, which were possibly used for defence against predators..

Neptunus granulatus Crab Fossil.

A stunning and dramatically presented example of this classic fossil crab from Bosa Beds, Sardinia, Italy. Superb claw preservation. Prepared to an exceptional standard on original Limestone matrix measuring 8" x 5" x 3.75". A very rare and sought after piece. 100% genuine, dating from the Miocene Epoch, this is not to be confused with modern incarnations!

Coeloma Fossil Crab.

An exceptionally detailed crab nodule from Lyby, Denmark. 100% genuine, with fantastic preservation throughout. The nodule measures 3.5" x 2.9" x 2.4". Dating from the Oligocene Epoch, this is not to be confused with modern incarnations...

This is a very rare piece indeed. This is partly due to the softness of the matrix which is broken during collecting as a matter of course, when the nodules are split to reach the fossil (however 9/10 nodules are found to be barren)... As a result, the nodules must be painstakingly put back together. If everything is done right, it looks like this one! All in all, a stunningly intricate piece of the highest quality.

Coeloma Fossil Crab.

An exceptionally detailed crab nodule from Lyby, Denmark. 100% genuine, with fantastic preservation throughout. The nodule measures 3" x 2.5" x 2.2". Dating from the Oligocene Epoch, this is not to be confused with modern incarnations...

This is a very rare piece indeed. This is partly due to the softness of the matrix which is broken during collecting as a matter of course, when the nodules are split to reach the fossil (however 9/10 nodules are found to be barren)... As a result, the nodules must be painstakingly put back together. If everything is done right, it looks like this one! All in all, a stunningly intricate piece of the highest quality.