#Morocco fossil

[uk-fossils]

Discohoplites subfalcatus Fossil Ammonite Upper Albian Cretaceous Morocco | Genuine Specimen with Certificate

Offered here is a well-preserved Discohoplites subfalcatus ammonite fossil, originating from the Upper Albian Stage of the Cretaceous Period, found in the rich fossil beds of Morocco, North Africa. This rare and attractive ammonite specimen dates to approximately 105–100 million years ago, when much of what is now northern Africa was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea.

The specimen shown in the listing is the exact fossil you will receive, carefully chosen for its scientific interest and display quality. All ammonites are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological & Palaeontological Details:

Species: Discohoplites subfalcatus

Fossil Type: Ammonite

Family: Hoplitidae

Superfamily: Hoplitoidea

Order: Ammonitida

Geological Period: Cretaceous

Stage: Upper Albian (approx. 105–100 million years ago)

Location: Morocco

Biozone: Often found within the Upper Albian ammonite assemblage zones of the Tafilalt region, although exact zone attribution may vary by locality

Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf rich in calcareous and siliceous sediments, supporting a high diversity of invertebrates such as ammonites, bivalves, and crustaceans. Conditions favoured the preservation of calcitic shells and internal moulds.

Morphology & Features:

Discohoplites subfalcatus is recognised by its flattened, discoidal shell, with strong falcoid (sickle-shaped) ribbing and an involute coiling pattern

Whorls exhibit pronounced ornamentation with ribs that bend forward toward the venter (outer edge)

May feature subtle tubercles and a slightly keeled venter, typical of advanced hoplitid ammonites

The combination of compressed form and delicate ribbing creates a visually striking fossil, both scientifically important and aesthetically appealing

Notability: Discohoplites subfalcatus is a classic Upper Albian ammonite genus originally described by Spath (1923). It is part of a key lineage used in the biostratigraphic correlation of Albian marine sequences across Europe and North Africa. Fossils from Moroccan beds are well-preserved and often studied for their evolutionary significance in Late Albian cephalopod assemblages.

Additional Details:

All our fossils are 100% genuine specimens

Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity

The photo shows the exact fossil for sale

Scale cube = 1cm – refer to photos for full sizing

Whether for scientific study, display, or collecting, this rare ammonite from Morocco offers a captivating glimpse into the ancient marine ecosystems of the Late Albian seas. A standout piece for any fossil collection.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Spinosaurus drama is cool and things, but do you know what's even cooler? Better fossils of animals that lived with Spinosaurus!

There is a new specimen of Concavotectum currently on display in Tuscon. BigSkyFossils took some photos of it and I had to doodle it! It's been a while since I did a tselfatiform and now we have finally an idea how the postcranium looked like!

So far we only had a few fragments and this pretty good skull. As some people noted though, the eye is reconstructed in the wrong corner.

[contremineur]

Spiny heteromorph ammonites Emericiceras barremense from the Cretaceous (145-66 million years ago) found in Morocco

from here

[amnhnyc]

It’s Trilobite Tuesday! Fossilized trilobites have been found in an array of colors. This tonal variation is mostly due to the presence of specific minerals, which can replace the trilobite’s calcite shell over the course of hundreds of millions of years. Those minerals replace the trilobite's original shell in a wide range of colors including shades of black, brown, red, orange, and yellow... such as this strikingly preserved Wenndorfia from the Devonian of Morocco.

[withinthesplendor]

Sea lilies crinoid fossil plate, desert Morocco.

[transparentfossil]

Morocco Fossil Trilobite Paradoxides gracilis 15.9” Cambrian Age

[geologyin-blog]

Spiny Psychopyge elegans trilobite from Issoumour, Morocco.

Trilobites are an extinct class of marine arthropods that thrived for nearly 270 million years, from the early Cambrian to the end of the Permian period (around 521 to 252 million years ago).

Photo by: FossilEra

[blueiscoool]

Fossil Starfish Plaque Petraster sp. Middle Ordovician (approx. 467 million years ago) Erfoud, Morocco

[dinodorks]

[ Photo by Driss Ourhache. ]

"New research on fossil footprints preserved high in the Atlas Mountains suggests that dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes lived together during the Middle to Late Jurassic around 168 to 160 million years ago. However, skeletal fossils from this period are extremely rare, and are known from just four species including the unusual Spicomellus afer. The discovery of three new tracksites suggests that there could be many more dinosaurs yet to be discovered in Morocco, and North Africa more widely, opening a new window into a time when dinosaurs were at their peak. Ahmed Oussou, a PhD student and the study’s lead author, says, ‘So far, fieldwork undertaken in this region has not yet yielded any bones, making it difficult to link the tracks to any given species of dinosaur.’ ‘While the quantity of tracks in the area does not necessarily mean that the region is rich in body fossils, I hope that further excavations will allow me and my colleagues to find some bones in the coming years.’ The findings of the study, which was co-authored by Natural History Museum researcher Dr Susannah Maidment, were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science."

Read more: "Discovery of Moroccan fossil footprints points to unknown dinosaur diversity" by James Ashworth.

[tff-praefectus]

Tethysaurus nopscai

[thatshowthingstarted]

Jebel Irhoud !

Jebel Irhoud or Adrar n Ighoud, is an archeological site located just north of the locality known as Tlet Ighoud, approximately 50 km (30 mi) south-east of the city of Safi in Morocco.

It is noted for the hominin fossils that have been found there since the discovery of the site in 1960.

Originally thought to be Neanderthals, the specimens have since been assigned to Homo Sapiens and, as reported in 2017, have been dated to roughly 300,000 years ago (286±32 ka for the Irhoud 3 mandible, 315±34 ka based on other fossils and the flint artefacts found nearby).

[amnhnyc]

It’s Trilobite Tuesday! Over the last three decades, Morocco has become an epicenter for trilobite discoveries, with hundreds of new species emerging from dozens of active quarry sites. Some of these specimens have been remarkable in their morphological complexity while others, like this crimson-toned Harpid, are notable for their unexpected color. Environmental factors, including the presence of specific minerals, can change the color of fossils to striking hues like this one.

[connectparanormal]

Sea Monster in a Moroccan Mine?

The recent unearthing of an alleged sea monster fossil in Morocco's Khouribga province has generated both excitement and significant skepticism within the paleontological community. The specimen, initially heralded as a new species of mosasaur named Xenodens calminechari, features peculiar dental characteristics that deviate dramatically from known tetrapod morphology. Such extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence, and in this case, the evidence appears increasingly problematic.

The fossil's most contentious feature is its supposedly unique saw-like tooth structure, which contradicts established understanding of mosasaur dentition. Multiple experts have identified troubling anomalies, including the unprecedented presence of double teeth in single sockets and unusual overlap patterns. These irregularities, combined with the specimen's origin in a region notorious for fossil modification, raise serious red flags about its authenticity.

The timing of this discovery coincides with increasing market pressure for spectacular fossil specimens, particularly from Morocco's phosphate mines. The commercial value of unusual or extreme variations often tempts sellers to enhance or modify fossils, creating a perfect storm of financial motivation and opportunity for fraud. The local history of fossil manipulation for profit cannot be ignored when evaluating this find.

Leading paleontologists, including Henry Sharpe from the University of Alberta, have called for more rigorous examination using advanced imaging techniques. Their preliminary analysis suggests several inconsistencies with known mosasaur tooth replacement patterns. The specimen's composition and structure appear to diverge significantly from verified mosasaur fossils, suggesting possible artificial modification or complete fabrication.

The implications of this controversy extend beyond this single specimen, potentially undermining confidence in paleontological research and specimen authentication processes. If confirmed as a forgery, this case would necessitate not only the retraction of previous publications but also a comprehensive review of authentication protocols. The incident highlights the crucial need for skepticism and thorough verification in paleontological research.

While definitive conclusions await further investigation, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing modern paleontology. The pressure to publish revolutionary findings, combined with the commercial fossil trade's influence, creates an environment where spectacular claims require increasingly stringent verification. As the investigation continues, the scientific community must balance the excitement of potential discoveries with rigorous skepticism and methodological scrutiny.

[transparentfossil]

Rare, 1.15" Lichid (Parvilichas) Trilobite - Tinzouline, Morocco

[geologyin-blog]

A huge Trilobite fossil Acadoparadoxides sp. from the middle Cambrian of Morocco. Ognat Mountains Formation, Tinjdad Area.

Photo: fossil_birdy