Lot 988
Two Ammonites From Madagascar. Ammonites were early mollusks that somewhat resembled an octopus or squid living within a protective shell and are the closest relative to the chambered nautilus which still exists today. The name ammonite was given to these fossils thousands of years ago by the Romans as the spirals reminded them of the ram’s horn worn by the Egyptian god Ammon. The scientific name for each species of ammonite ends in "ceras" which is the Greek word for horn. This lot contains both halves of a large 6.25 inch in diameter 110 million year old ammonite, Cleoniceras from the large island of Madagascar. This ammonite has been cut in half and polished to reveal the detail and beauty of the inner chambers. Ammonites started growing in the small center and added chambers spiraling outward as they grew. The living animal lived only in the last large chamber and the inner chambers were airtight and could be filled with water or air by the living ammonite using its tube-like Siphuncle to move up or down in the water. The beautiful large 6.25 inch ammonite has the outer chambers filled with white calcite with all of the inner chambers filled with several different colored minerals ranging from beige to browns. Also included is a compete brown 6 inch Cleoniceras that has been polished to reveal the intricate suture pattern that gave the thin shell extra strength. This lot contains three specimens.
Allow $25 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Realized $531 |
