#fossil flint echinoid

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Flint Echinoid (Shepherd’s Crown) – Cretaceous Chalk, Seaford Head, Sussex UK – British Sea Urchin Fossil with Certificate

This listing features a genuine Fossil Flint Echinoid, often affectionately referred to as a "Shepherd’s Crown", collected from the Cretaceous Chalk deposits of Seaford Head, Sussex, UK. These iconic echinoid fossils are preserved in flint—a result of millions of years of mineral replacement after the creature’s death on the seabed.

The chalk cliffs of Seaford Head are part of the Upper Cretaceous sequence of southern England, dating back approximately 100 to 66 million years ago. The echinoid species, most likely within the genus Conulus or Micraster, were marine invertebrates related to modern sea urchins. Over time, the original calcite skeletons were dissolved and replaced by silica to form the hard flint fossils we find today.

These echinoids are famed for their distinct five-point symmetry and domed shape, often resembling a crown or star. Flint echinoids are a sought-after classic British fossil due to their excellent preservation, high contrast appearance, and regional collectability.

This specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, on 24 March 2025, and has been expertly cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison for optimal presentation and preservation.

Item Details:

Name: Flint Echinoid (likely Conulus sp.)

Type: Sea Urchin Fossil (Echinoidea)

Common Name: Shepherd’s Crown

Age: Cretaceous Period (~100–66 million years ago)

Geological Formation: Chalk

Location Found: Seaford Head, Sussex, UK

Scale Reference: Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1cm (please refer to photo for full sizing)

Certificate of Authenticity: Included

ACTUAL AS SEEN:

The image shows the exact specimen you will receive. Each fossil is carefully hand-selected and photographed to ensure quality and transparency.

Please Note:

Some fossils may be propped up for photography.

Colouration may vary slightly under different lighting or screens.

Sizes are approximate due to natural variations in shape.

Once sold, this listing will be updated with a new fossil and image.

100% Genuine – Professionally Prepared – Certificate of Authenticity Included

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

More variety of echinoids from different ovale forms, in flint colors on the rock plates.

They looks like dry crusty crumble cookies.

[prasemvanguardgerman]

The only finds back from little less productive fossil search near on again dry fields.

Tommorow morning will it be raining finally. I hope so, then i went fossil hunting. The entire region is dry and too dusty.

One sliced shard of flint or chert with the urchin pattern, plus one little aulaxinia sponge.

And this tiny fossil of Echinoid flint in matrix.

Like some nice from the beach finds, but im no near the sea.

[smellofwater]

Beachcombing - A Fairy Loaf

I found this lovely flint fossil echinoid on the beach between Marske and Redcar. The fossil is smooth to the touch and heavy in the hand, beautiful dense flint with an unmistakable five pointed star on its upper surface, it’s a first for me. Fossil echinoids are not uncommon finds in areas with chalk bedrock but this is the first example that I have found on our beaches. Fossil echinoids have…

[delightingintragedy]

Various Uses for Fossils in Magic from Wisht Waters by Gemma Gary

"Sea fossils, as well a guarding against drowning, had other protective uses. The fossils of sea urchins, or Echinoids, were employed for a variety of protections. Upon these fossils, one might find a star-like pattern, very reminiscent of the 'daisy-wheels', which one might find inscribed into the timbers and masonry of ancient buildings, most likely for apotropaic purposes. Their folk names include shepherd's crowns, thunder stones and fairy loaves. They protected against thunder, evil spirits and witches, prevented milk turning sour, and in common with other fossil amulets, they sweated in the presence of poison. As 'fairy loaves' they might be used to ward off supernatural interference from the baking process, and to ensure an abundance of bread."

pg. 104

"Belemnite fossils, from an extinct squid-like creature, were known as thunderbolts, and were thus kept as charms to protect against lightning. Once believed to be the tongues of ancient serpents, fossilised shark teeth were one of the fossil amulets against poison"

pg. 104

"Rings of stone, formed from the fossilised stems of the sea-lily were known as St Cuthbert's Beads, as were worn as amulets against evil influences."

pg. 105

"The 'Devil's Toenail' fossils were carried as charms against rheumatic pain, and they were powdered to be used in the treatment of soreness of the back in horses."

pg. 107

"Various accoutrements of the sea witch's divinatory work may be seen in the Museum of Witchcraft. Here we find that belemnites were employed by a Newlyn sea witch named Nancy. She would read the fall of her 'sea stones' to make predictions for fishermen. Perhaps their traditional association with lightning gave belemnites the virtue to make predictions regarding storms and changes in the weather?"

pg. 108

[...] There have been many ways to bless, consecrate and 'sain' water, thus rendering it more potent and useful within various rites and magical operations. This might be achieved by steeping or immersing charmed items within the water, or else allowing water to flow or be poured over such an item. These may include charm-stones, fossils, flints, or the metals gold and silver.

pgs. 115-116

"Ammonite fossils were also employed as charm stones to cure cattle in 17th century Scotland. They were known as 'cramp stones' because cattle afflicted with cramp would be treated by being bathed in water in which a 'cramp stone' had been steeped for a number of hours."

pg. 122

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Thank you for releasing the question since I have stumpled about this little unique rock !!!!

Thanking you so much!!! Vividblues

Oh wow i m now out of words, an sort of Favosite coral really ?

Now with this hint of information now and I’m very proud and happy gladly to found it.

Now I can better check up for the fossil specimen content and with hopefully better compare pics and mineral results now.

Before found it on my area, I only known and found some imprints and round fossils of sponges in flint or chert and famous echinoids, nothing like an petrified coral , now I’m better adjusted with this patterns that some corals have, of their little doted chambered strucktures .

But have not any clue how this coral found it’s way here on the stone dirt roads nearby on cultured farmland. Echinoids and rocks of flint near this piece, yes but not this rare specimen of an fossil here.

That’s fossil coral!!! You can email your local museum with questions or even take it in and show em + get to see the back rooms sometimes !!

[brokenspeculation]

Mélusine, "l’ondoyante serpentiforme"

Trawling through my archive from a now declining social media site, I came across a picture I had posted of a 'face' which had appeared in my coffee that morning, on 29 January 2018. This pattern, resembling the face of a woman with swirling hair, manifested after a period of intensive reading around the image of Mélusine, "l’ondoyante serpentiforme", as Pascaline Mourier-Casile names her in her book, André Breton : explorateur de la mère-moire (1986). Only the day before, I had staged a photograph - with two globular flint geodes found in a north Hampshire field - of a book celebrating André Breton's extended prose poem, Arcane 17, named after the 17th card - The Star - in the Tarot's Major Arcana. As Alex Woodcock writes:

The Star symbolised hope and renewal. By associating this card with the medieval figure of the faery-siren Mélusine, Breton found an image through which he could channel his thoughts about everything from alchemy and politics to the future of humanity' (from Melusine As Alchemical Siren In André Breton’s Arcane 17 (1945), in Shima, Volume 12, No.2, September 2018 - link here).

The same day, 28 January, I had re-posted the image of a picture by Pascaline Mourier-Casile called Métamorphose: L'Oeuf de Meduse, revealing another aspect of uncanny aquatic women, with serpentine hair swirling similarly to what I perceived in my coffee.

Indeed, all this followed a visit with the author of the Melusine piece quoted above to Linkenholt church, just a couple of days before to admire the fossil sea urchins or echinoids, arranged around a nineteenth-century window. In folklore, these fossils are known variously as shepherd's crowns and fairy loaves. It was on the same trip that I found the flint geodes.

Although I perceived what I saw as part of a pattern at the time, it is only in hindsight - seeing now the 'time signatures' of this constellation of objects, events and images falling within a short period - that a fuller appreciation has emerged of their possible significance. As Walter Benjamin said,

A philosophy that does not include the possibility of soothsaying from coffee grounds ... cannot be a true philosophy

[earthstory]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aliette Boshier (@boshiette)

al_bosh Perfect whole echinoid (sea urchin) fossil in flint. According to @london_mudlark these "fairy loaves" have been collected and treasured by humans for millennia

[thenaturewitch]

Gemstones ~ F

Feldspar Promotes honoring one’s sexuality, promotes self respect and self-esteem

Flint (Chert) Grounds and releases anger and aggression, aids self-control, reduces fighting, promotes learning to manage and safely release anger, aids positive self-esteem, reduces arrogance

Aqua Fluorite Promotes emotional release and expressing withheld grief and fear, aids ability to ask others for help, supports safe expression of anger, releases and heals anger, aids in resolving fear, letting go of grief, and emotional pain

Blue Fluorite Releases negative thought patterns

Clear Fluorite Promotes telepathy, aids in communication with animals and spirit beings

Green Fluorite Aids visualization and meditation, facilitates emotional release

Pink Fluorite Soothes fear and despair, promotes forgiveness of self and others, self-love, self-empowerment, support for headaches and migraines (Also called Lavender Fluorite)

Purple Fluorite Promotes sense of wholeness and spiritual peace, aids meditation, enhances psychic development

Raspberry Fluorite Promotes understanding of self, removes negative patterns

Yellow Fluorite Stimulates intellect, visualization, psychic ability

Fossil Promotes respect for age and awareness that there is no true death or end, promotes individual connection with Earth, aids grounding, serenity, peaceful aging, inner strength, and endurance

Ammonite Fossil Reminder of life as a path or journey, supports meditation, helps contact physical and spiritual guides and teachers, helps remember your past

Goniatite Fossil Promotes understanding of life cycles, aids acceptance of life, death, growth, and change

Orthoceras Fossil Helps in moving forward in one’s life, aids decision making 

Rhyncholampas (Echinoids) Fossil Magnifies connection with our galaxy (These are fossilized starfish.)

Turritella Fossil Aids in ending negative past patterns, aids reflection of the past (These are fossilized snails.)

Fuchsite Soothes during emotional release, aids nausea, cleanses

Fuchsite with Kyanite Promotes meditation on beauty of Earth, promotes stewardship, protects those who protect the Earth, promotes peace and joy, prevents burnout

Fulgerite Promotes transformation, psychic stimulation, promotes creativity (Also called Sand Fulgerite.  Formed by lightning striking beach sand.)

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Flint Echinoid Sea Urchin (Shepherd’s Crown) – Cretaceous Chalk Fossil – Seaton Devon UK – With Certificate of Authenticity

This genuine Flint Echinoid Fossil (Shepherd’s Crown) comes from the Cretaceous Chalk deposits of Seaton, Devon, UK and is a stunning relic of Britain's prehistoric marine life. Echinoids, also known as sea urchins, were marine invertebrates that have existed for over 450 million years. This particular fossil dates back to the Cretaceous Period, approximately 100 million years ago, a time when much of what is now the UK was covered by warm shallow seas.

The name "Shepherd's Crown" comes from the distinctive star-shaped pattern often visible on the top surface of the fossil. These patterns are the preserved remains of the ambulacra – grooves through which the living animal's tube feet would have extended. This beautiful fossil formed when the original echinoid skeleton was replaced by silica over millions of years, producing the flint fossil preserved today.

This specimen was personally discovered by our expert team members Alister and Alison on 24 March 2025, and has since been carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to ensure the highest display quality. It comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing it as a 100% genuine fossil.

Item Details:

Name: Echinoid (Sea Urchin, "Shepherd’s Crown")

Type: Flint Echinoid Fossil

Geological Age: Cretaceous Period

Formation: Chalk

Location Found: Seaton, Devon, United Kingdom

Discovery Date: 24 March 2025

Discovered & Prepared By: Alister and Alison

Scale Cube Reference: 1cm (see photos for full sizing)

Certificate of Authenticity: Included

ACTUAL AS SEEN: The image shown is of the exact specimen you will receive. Each fossil is hand-selected and photographed individually to ensure accuracy.

Please Note:

Some fossils may be propped up for photography purposes.

Colours may vary slightly depending on lighting, device screens, and photography settings.

Measurements are as accurate as possible but may vary slightly due to natural irregularities.

Once sold, this listing will be updated with a new, individually photographed replacement specimen.

Add a stunning piece of British natural history to your fossil collection today!

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Echinocorys echinoids in black flint from the Baltic Sea 🌊

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Some patterns of the mantle of inner faded shells of echinodea. Echinocorys and others.

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Like the pic before last evening yesterday, found this flat top piece of an brown echinodem fossil top, with flat cut grey open underside. Without many other stones here.

Then on the route back the half piece end of an new aulaxinia sulficera sponge with this wave pattern, was on the back walk from the stone road.

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Fossil hunting visit 2

I got a lot of few new fossils for todays post. Found another location with lot of stones & rubble. With the ok from the owner of his pile/ surrounding field area to search.

It was an fun time to search for rocks this time. Mostly broken upper and top fragments of flint urchins, nice finds to compare with others.

These are quiet big chunks of echinoid.

Two of them, after washing in my hand are mostly intact ones.

It‘s a shame all years thats pieces like this got lost and destroyed from the shipping for fundamental use or industrial constructions or street underground.

Oh there is no blood, it is the wet red marking of the inner flint core.

20.03.2024 post reupload

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Found this very nice, medium size echinoid on the sand road tracks directly near the field.

Saw it and in that moment I thought only wtf, here so near of those tracks? In front of me now ???? Colored brown like it’s sandy terrain.

Intact, full condition without cracks no fissures no damaged open parts with unknown flint core color. Has the size of an tangerine. 🍊

All of the outer shell pattern is intact, you can seen all sides, the dots, armored parts and star shape, near round like an tangerine but one side is crushed from long time ago, since the fossil formed from the minerals in the once not filled exoskeleton. Brown colored fint like the sand.

I‘am very very glad and happy about this stunning nice find. An Incredible Echinoid.

[echinoid-fossils-on-the-rocks]

Not good in finding flint fossils on today’s afternoon walk after raining, also the sun setting is now near after 16:00 PM now again raining for the evening.

The broken underside of an echinoid badly damaged, one other piece - if it’s not an hollowed punctured chert, and one little sponge.

Not an good trip, I’am really down with all event on this day now.