British Ammonite Bag of 5

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These are Goniatites rather than the standard ammonites seen previously. In the world of cephalopod fossils, Goniatites are essentially the "ancestors" of the later, more complex ammonites.

Here are the primary differences you can see in these specific specimens:

1. The Suture Patterns (The "Zig-Zags")

The most technical difference is in the suture lines (the squiggly lines where the internal walls meet the outer shell).

  • Previous Photo: The lines were likely more intricate or "frilly" (Ammonitic).
  • Current Photo: These have much simpler, zigzag or rounded lobes. This "Goniatitic" pattern is the hallmark of cephalopods from the Paleozoic Era.

2. Mineralization and Color

  • Matte Texture: These have a more uniform, tan/earthy "stony" appearance. They haven't been polished to the high-contrast dark gray/red and white finish of the first set.
  • Matrix: The stone they are embedded in is a denser, more uniform limestone, which is very common for specimens coming out of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco (though they are also found in China).

3. Geologic Age

  • These are significantly older. While the first set was likely Devonian or Ordovician, many Goniatites like these date back to the Devonian Period (roughly 350 to 400 million years ago).
  • They existed long before the "true" ammonites of the dinosaur era (Jurassic/Cretaceous).

4. Preservation Style

  • The first set was cross-sectioned (cut in half) to show the internal spiral chambers.
  • This second set appears to be partially prepped or naturally weathered. You are looking at the exterior of the inner whorls, which is why you can see the simple suture lines moving across the surface of the shell like a map.