This is a heavily pyritized spiny ammonite fossil collected near th Black Ven Marls of the Lower Lias at Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Dorset, along the celebrated Jurassic Coast. It's Jurassic, Pliensbachian stage or approximately 185 million years old. You can feel the heft of the iron pyrite in the specimen when you hold it in your hand. The spines are 100% natural, not reconstructed, not restored. Please note, that the ammonite has been brushed with a wire brush to give it a more golden brilliant shine. Despite being pyritized their natural color when found is much duller. Ammonites are extinct mollusks that resembled a squid with a shell. These cephalopods had eyes, tentacles, and spiral shells. They were one of the dominant life forms in the ocean during the Mesozoic era but went extinct along with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Cluster is 7,7 x 6,6 cm.