Jump to content

A Trip To The Swiss Middle Jurassic


Ludwigia

Recommended Posts

I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to visit a site where the humphresianum Zone of the middle Jurassic Bajocian layers is exposed in the countryside near Basel. I've been busy ever since preparing my finds. I'm not finished yet, but I thought I could show the ones that are done already. The large ammonites all belong to the Genus Stephanoceras and are mostly probably S.humphresianum. The smaller ones are the microconch Normannites sp. They're fascinating due to the large apophysen at the end of the orifice. I'm not versed enough yet to be able to id the species. The shells are all well preserved.

post-2384-0-98698000-1368830835_thumb.jpg 13cm. in diameter. post-2384-0-64819500-1368830978_thumb.jpg This is the little one attached.

post-2384-0-90090500-1368831060_thumb.jpg 14.5cm. post-2384-0-78788400-1368831106_thumb.jpg Teloceras sp. 16cm. With pyrite in the whorls.

Edited by Ludwigia

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-2384-0-29603000-1368831252_thumb.jpg 12cm. With oysters and serpula attached.

post-2384-0-84535900-1368831391_thumb.jpg 4.5cm. post-2384-0-91046100-1368831432_thumb.jpg Front view.

post-2384-0-02075600-1368831340_thumb.jpg

The nautilus Cenoceras sp. This is only part of the phragmocone of a very large one. I managed to save some of the outer chamber walls by preparation which allows for interesting observations.

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-2384-0-16096500-1368831750_thumb.jpg 5.5 cm. One of the "ears" is missing. post-2384-0-47087800-1368831815_thumb.jpg

post-2384-0-17875300-1368831855_thumb.jpg The large bivalve Ctenostreon pectiniformis. 15cm. long.

post-2384-0-94288100-1368831958_thumb.jpg

The bivalve Plagiostoma sp. along with Serpula and oysters attached to what appears to be part of the living chamber of a large nautilus.

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are all really quite spectacular! The associations, the preservation, the handsome patina...all-around wonderful fossils :wub:

Of course, your 'loving touch' brings out their best!

"There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley

>Paleontology is an evolving science.

>May your wonders never cease!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weit aus, Mann! Das ist "der Hammer". I was wondering what you've been up to lately, Roger.

Grüße,

Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas

"To the motivated go the spoils."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Impressive as usual, Roger. Really blows my mind what you find and manage to prep out. Never seen an Ammo with "ears". :)

-Dave

__________________________________________________

Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPhee

If I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPhee

Check out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These are all really quite spectacular! The associations, the preservation, the handsome patina...all-around wonderful fossils :wub:

Of course, your 'loving touch' brings out their best!

Thanks very much, Chas!!

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weit aus, Mann! Das ist "der Hammer". I was wondering what you've been up to lately, Roger.

Been spending lots of time secretly in the basement...

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Impressive as usual, Roger. Really blows my mind what you find and manage to prep out. Never seen an Ammo with "ears". :)

It's not easy to find them, but when you do you're happy as a ...fossil collector...Almost all of the microconches in the middle and upper Jurassic have some form of apophyse. They're fascinating. One theory is that they helped the little creatures get a hold on their much larger female counterparts during pairing.

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most excellent specimens. Those 'ears' are amazing. I didn't realize ammos had them.

Now when I see this:

post-6808-0-66581400-1368855030.jpg

I think of this:

post-6808-0-64527300-1368855031_thumb.jpg

:)

Context is critical.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Roger.... Some very nice specimens there.... Congratulations....

Cheers Steve... And Welcome if your a New Member... :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That´s astounding!

Is it located near Anwil, from where I've seen those crazy pieces on the net?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Impressive pieces.

Thanks :D

That´s astounding!

Is it located near Anwil, from where I've seen those crazy pieces on the net?

You got it. These finds are from just one of the many locations in that area, although many are only temporary construction sites and such.

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Lissa! These are my first really good finds from this zone, so I'm really happy with them. There should be more coming once I get the rest prepped.

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Outstanding finds and prep, once again, Roger.

Glad to see you keeping busy!

Regards,

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now that I've finished with the finds from Hannover, I've gotten back to going through the rest of the things from here. I've just finished prepping these two.

post-2384-0-90211500-1369566218_thumb.jpg Partial phragmocone of a larger Teloceras sp. with a small oyster at the end of the whorls. 7.5cm.

post-2384-0-14633500-1369566368_thumb.jpgpost-2384-0-68675200-1369566400_thumb.jpg

The bivalve Modiolus bipartitus. The cigar shaped thing between the shells may be the fossilized byssus thread, though I'm not at all sure if that's possible. I've sent off a question to an expert to find out.

Edited by Ludwigia

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another one. This time a double Normannites sp., one of which has its "ears" still attached. The little block measures 6x6x5cm.

post-2384-0-53065400-1369607799_thumb.jpgpost-2384-0-37069400-1369607821_thumb.jpgpost-2384-0-22873100-1369607879_thumb.jpg

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...