A stunning and rare example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 296 mm (11.65 inches) across, which is very large for a crinoid fossil from this location. The fossil consists of multiple crinoids in a large colony, with several crinoid heads present with well preserved 3D arms and pinnules flowing across one another as well as long stems with tentacle-like cirri (used by the animals to attach themselves to one another). The level of detail in the crinoids is exceptional. They are preserved on a large chunk of driftwood, on which the colony lived and floated in the Jurassic seas.
It is preserved in limestone with a thin layer of pyrite on the surface. Many hours of preparation have gone into this specimen. It was found in multiple pieces and has been put back together with some on the back so it is strong and stable. This is standard with these large crinoid fossils as they do not come out of the cliffs in a single piece. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days.
These colonies lived in the Jurassic seas attached to pieces of floating driftwood. Finding an example like this is rare on the Coast.
Around 196 million years old (Sinemurian, Early Jurassic), this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.