fossil

Fossilized marine reptile skeleton (likely ichthyosaur)

Ichthyosauria indet.; commonly displayed specimens include Ichthyosaurus or Stenopterygius

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

A mineral-replaced vertebrate skeleton preserved in fine-grained limestone or shale; bones are typically calcite/phosphate-rich, with matrix hardness about Mohs 3–4 and dull to slightly waxy luster. The long vertebral column, elongated snout, ribs, and paddle-like limbs indicate an aquatic reptile.

Identified September 13, 2026More fossil →

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At a glance

Common name: Fossilized marine reptile skeleton (likely ichthyosaur)
Scientific name: Ichthyosauria indet.; commonly displayed specimens include Ichthyosaurus or Stenopterygius
Category: fossil
Identified: September 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5,000–$100,000+ for a legally documented, complete articulated specimen; replicas or incomplete plates may sell for $100–$5,000.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Buried rapidly in an oxygen-poor marine basin during the Mesozoic, most likely Jurassic (about 201–145 million years ago), then permineralized and lithified. Exact identification and age require locality and preparation records.

Uses & applications

Primarily a museum, educational, and collector specimen; it has no practical industrial use. Complete articulated skeletons can be highly valuable.

Geological facts

Ichthyosaurs were air-breathing reptiles that evolved a fish-like body and likely gave birth to live young. Their fossils are especially famous from Germany’s Posidonia Shale.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the streamlined skeleton, numerous vertebrae, elongated jaws, and paired flippers; distinguish it from fish by the robust vertebral column and limb bones. Common localities include Holzmaden, Germany, and Jurassic marine deposits in the United Kingdom and China.