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Ammonites
Click here for more Ammonite Pictures
| Scientific Classification |
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Ammonites are an extinct group of cephalopod molluscs that lived in
marine environments. They first appeared in the Late Silurian
or Early Devonian (about 400 million years ago), and went extinct
at the end of the
Cretaceous period
(about 65 million years ago), during the
Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction.
Although they outwardly physically resemble the modern Nautilus, Ammonites
are actually believed to be more closely related to cuttlefish, octopi,
and squid.
Ammonite
fossils are often (but not
always) a distinctive flattened spiral coil with visible ribs, although there
are species with unusual coil shapes, partially coiled shells, and even
uncoiled shells.
Most Ammonites are quite small, perhaps 9 inches (23 centimeters) or less
in diameter - there are however some larger types, for example
Parapuzosia seppenradensis which is found in
Cretaceous
rocks from
Germany
is sometimes upto 6½ feet (2 meters) in diameter,
Fossils, Ammonites
Photographic Print
Waltham, Tony
Buy at AllPosters.com
Ammonite fossils have been known
since ancient times:
- The Roman author, Pliny the Elder (23 to 79) called the
fossils,
the "horns of Ammon", because he thought that they resembled
the ram's horns which the Egyptian god Ammon was depicted with.
- In medieval times, Ammonites were often thought to be petrified snakes,
and were often called "snake stones" or
"serpent stones". The supposed petrification was usually ascribed to
the actions of saints such as Saint Patrick (who was said to have driven the snakes
out of Ireland).
- In India, Ammonites were sometimes regarded as symbols of the god Vishnu,
and were kept in temples.
Today, modern scientists often use Ammonites and Amminoids
as "index fossils"
(fossils which are used to help
date the rocks that they are found in), particularly for
Mesozoic Era rocks. This
is possible because these fossils
are relatively abundant in rocks,
are widely distributed, and because different species evolved and went
extinct in rapid succession - thus the presence of a particular species
is indicative of rocks being formed in a particular time period.

Ammonites were cephalopod molluscs that lived in the seas between 400 and 65 million years ago

Related Information & Resources
See Also

Ammonite Pictures and Posters
by AllPosters
Here are some Ammonite pictures and posters:
(Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by AllPosters. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website).
Ammonite (Promicroceras Planicosta) 186 M.Y.A., Early Jurassic, England 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite (Promicroceras Planicosta) 186 M.Y.A., Early Jurassic, England 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite Fossil (Arietites Buckland), Jurassic Period, 150 M.Y.A. Nancy, France 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite Fossil (Arietites Buckland), Jurassic Period, 150 M.Y.A. Nancy, France 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite Fossil (Acriocerus Pulcherrimum), Cretaceous Period, 145-85 M.Y.A., France 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite Fossil (Acriocerus Pulcherrimum), Cretaceous Period, 145-85 M.Y.A., France 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Ken Lucas.
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Ammonite Fossil 9" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Layne Kennedy.
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Ammonite Fossil 9" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Layne Kennedy.
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65 million year old ammonite fossil 12" X 9" Photographic Print Artist: Layne Kennedy.
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65 million year old ammonite fossil 12" X 9" Photographic Print Artist: Layne Kennedy.
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Fossil in red-brown marble 9" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Dietrich Rose.
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Fossil in red-brown marble 9" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: Dietrich Rose.
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Ammonite Fossil 12" X 9" Photographic Print Artist: Walter Geiersperger.
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Ammonite Fossil 12" X 9" Photographic Print Artist: Walter Geiersperger.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Upper Early Cretaceous Ammonite Fossil under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Ammonite Fossil, Cleoniceras Species, under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Ammonite Fossil, Cleoniceras Species, under Ultraviolet Light 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Fossilized Ammonites, Coccosteus Cuspidata, from the Mid-Devonian 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Fossilized Ammonites, Coccosteus Cuspidata, from the Mid-Devonian 16" X 12" Photographic Print Artist: John Cancalosi.
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Ammonite Books Here are some books from Amazon.com:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
By Neale Monks
Smithsonian Books Released: 2002-05-17 Paperback (176 pages)
 | List Price: $24.95* Lowest New Price: $13.88* Lowest Used Price: $13.04* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: The beautiful spiral shells of these long-extinct marine invertebrates are among the most sought after and recognizable of fossils, yet little has been published about ammonites outside of geological journals. Neale Monks and Philip Palmer look at the latest ideas on ammonite biology and ecology to present this detailed picture of a once diverse and widespread group of animals.
The authors describe the evolution of ammonites and their relatives and explain how they created their shells and used them as flotation devices. All the major groups of ammonites are described and illustrated (as are many minor ones), and important material is included on anatomy, feeding, reproduction, and pathology. The 300-million-year existence of ammonites ended at around the same time that dinosaurs became extinct. Fortunately, ammonites were once so abundant that their fossilized shells can be readily found, and the authors provide a helpful guide to locating and collecting these unique fossils. |
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By Neil L. Larson, R. A. Farrar, Neal L Larson & Robert A Farrar
Mountain Press Pub. Co. [distributor] Paperback (160 pages)
 | List Price: $18.00* Lowest New Price: $18.75* Lowest Used Price: $29.67* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here |
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By Gillian Andrews
Released: 2010-10-07 Kindle Edition (244 pages)
 | List Price: $3.00* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: Valhai is a finalist in the PARSEC AWARDS 2011 Valhai is a finalist in the READERS FAVORITE AWARDS 2011 (Sci Fi) Valhai is a finalist in the READERS FAVORITE AWARDS 2011 (Young Adult)
STORY: The Sellites haven’t changed in thousands of years. They virtually rule their binary system, trading technology and minerals for anything they need. But they make a mistake with the new batch of fourteen-year-old donor apprentices they are taking back to their home planet, Valhai. Among them are a homeless no-name from the planet Kwaide and a member of the ruling Elders from Coriolis. Six and Diva are two diametrically opposed characters who don’t exactly take kindly to each other . . . The Sellites genetically modify their children, ideally qualifying them for their future jobs. So Grace, the only unmodified teenager on Valhai, is also the only one who doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. She has a sister-in-law who won’t leave her in peace and a newly-widowed mother who has taken to sleeping in a sarcophagus. Grace can’t think straight. She needs to escape from all the pressure. So she decides to break Sellite regulations and venture outside – onto the planet . . . . . . starting off a chain of events that will involve Six and Diva and force the Sellite race to change forever.
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By Sydney Savory Buckman
Nabu Press Paperback (426 pages)
 | List Price: $35.75* Lowest New Price: $20.42* Lowest Used Price: $45.94* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. |
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By Matajir Yokoyama
Nabu Press Paperback (40 pages)
 | List Price: $15.75* Lowest New Price: $10.14* Lowest Used Price: $11.25* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. |
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Ammonite Press Paperback (192 pages)
 | List Price: $9.95* Lowest New Price: $6.04* Lowest Used Price: $6.31* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description:
Sir Winston Churchill, statesman, orator, and former prime minister, was a man whose words gave hope and inspiration to the British people, and many are as relevant today as they were during the war years. Churchill's speeches were not always confined to serious political rhetoric and motivation. His off-the-cuff quips and comments displayed a wry wit and humor. Churchill in Quotes is a celebration of this outstanding figure in British history, presented in almost four hundred photographs handpicked from the vast archives of the Press Association. It covers the major events in Churchill's life, including his birth and early days at Blenheim Palace to his marriage and the birth of his children; his service in the army, war correspondence, and role as first lord of the Admiralty, and appointment as chancellor the Exchequer; his formation of government as wartime prime minister and the political and cabinet posts held during almost fifty years; his career as a historian and author; and his hobby as a sensitive artist. |
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Ammonite Press Paperback (300 pages)
 | List Price: $19.95* Lowest New Price: $15.09* Lowest Used Price: $10.94* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: The 20th century saw Britain involved in many armed conflicts, from the First and Second World Wars to the two Gulf Wars, and encompassing wars in Korea, Suez, the Falklands and the rest. This book focuses both on the impact of these events in the streets and homes of Britain as seen by ordinary people of the time, and the grim reality of action experienced by the country s soldiers, sailors and airmen. Made possible by a unique collection of photographs, this extraordinary vision of a nation in times of war is sometimes stirring, sometimes saddening, but always compelling. |
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By Neal L. Larson
Paperback
| Lowest New Price: $50.00* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here |
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By Walter E. Aufrecht
Edwin Mellen Pr Hardcover (516 pages)
| List Price: $139.95* Lowest New Price: $186.71* *(As of 10:34 Pacific 3 Feb 2012 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: This volume presents a discussion, bibliography, and analysis of all published inscriptions that have been identified as Ammonite. It contains numerous illustrative photographs. |
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