Representative ImageMarine Reptiles
·Real Fossil
Plesiosaur Bone Fragment
- Real Fossil
- 120 million years
- Ships worldwide
£13.99
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An authentic 120-million-year-old Plesiosaur bone fragment from the Cretaceous Lower Greensand of Farringdon, Berkshire. Specimens are typically 4-6cm long, 1.5-2cm wide, and 1-2cm deep.
Specimen Details
Species
Plesiosauria indet.
Age
120 million years
Period
Cretaceous
Origin
Farringdon, Berkshire, UK
Formation
Lower Greensand Group
Type
Genuine fossil
Display
Small and robust; displays well in a glass cloche or small specimen box.
Listing
Representative image — similar to photo
About This Fossil
This authentic bone fragment belonged to a Plesiosaur, the iconic long-necked marine reptile that ruled the Mesozoic oceans. Found in the fossil-rich deposits of Berkshire, this specimen offers a tangible connection to the predators that once cruised the shallow Cretaceous seas of what is now southern England. Unlike the soft tissues of these creatures, their dense skeletal structures were well-suited for preservation, leaving behind these stone-like remnants of a lost underwater world.
The fragment exhibits the characteristic spongy, trabecular bone structure typical of marine reptiles, which helped these animals manage buoyancy and withstand the pressures of the deep. While incomplete, such pieces are vital for understanding the distribution and anatomy of these magnificent reptiles during the Early Cretaceous. It serves as a poignant reminder of the vast ecosystems that existed long before the rise of the British Isles as we know them today.
Formation & Preservation
This specimen was recovered from the Lower Greensand, a geological unit formed during the Early Cretaceous. At the time, this area was a shallow, high-energy marine environment. The characteristic green hue of the parent rock comes from the presence of glauconite, a silicate mineral that forms in calm sea waters.
The preservation of these bones often occurred when carcasses were scavenged or broken apart by currents before being rapidly buried by shifting sands and silts. Over millions of years, minerals from the surrounding sediment permeated the bone, replacing the organic material through a process of permineralisation.
What Makes This Specimen Special
What makes this fragment particularly notable is its provenance from Farringdon, a classic British locality famed for its diverse Cretaceous fauna. While complete Plesiosaur skeletons are exceptionally rare, these fragments allow collectors to hold a genuine piece of palaeontological history that is both scientifically significant and evocative of Britain's ancient maritime past.
Authenticity & Sourcing
Real vs Replica
- This is a genuine fossil. Authenticity guaranteed in writing.
- You will receive a specimen similar to the one shown — see Natural Variation below.
Ethical Sourcing
- Sourced from established, long-standing suppliers and known commercial sites — never protected, scientifically significant, or restricted localities.
- ✓We will not knowingly handle fossils removed in breach of any country's heritage or export laws.
Origin & Natural Variation
Stated origin (Farringdon, Berkshire, UK) and formation (Lower Greensand Group) reflect the best information from our supplier and accepted geological literature. Where exact locality cannot be independently verified, we describe the formation rather than a single quarry.
Fossils are natural objects. Expect minor variation in colour, matrix, mineralisation, and surface detail. Any significant repair, restoration, or composite preparation is disclosed in the description — we never present restored areas as original without saying so.
Read our full authenticity guarantee or the authenticity & sourcing clause in our terms.
Shipping, Returns & Packaging
• UK shipping: Free on orders over £50. Standard £3.95.
• International: Available worldwide. Rates at checkout.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped, cushioned, and boxed. Fragile specimens receive extra protection.
• Dispatch: Usually within 1–2 working days.
• Returns: 30-day returns. Contact us first. Item must be in original condition.