Description
Oval Goniatite box with numerous Orthoceras Nautiloid Fossils
This attractive oval Goniatite box, is made from stone containing numerous fossils, mostly nautiloids and a large Goniatite on the lid. These fossils date back to the Devonian period, 390 million years ago. The box measures 13.8cm x 5.3cm and would be the perfect place for storing precious ‘little treasures’.
Goniatites are similar to ammonites but they are a considerable amount older. They are classified as Ammonoids and the easiest way of telling them apart is the different patterns in the suture lines. Unlike ammonites goniatites generally lived in inland seas with swampy saline conditions. Ammonites meanwhile lived mostly in open seas and oceans. Goniatites became extinct during the Permian Period.
The Orthoceras Nautiloid is an extinct form of cephalopod, a marine creature, related to todays squid. The actual name orthoceras actually means ‘straight horn’ because of their straight conical shell. As with the ammonites these ancient molluscs repeatedly grew new chambers as they grew larger. These had a septa or dividing wall between the new chamber and the old one. On the fossils the septa is visible as the lines running at right angles though the fossil. These creatures ranged in size from a few millimetres to 4 metres in length.
Back To Fossil Boxes And Dishes Back To Fossils
