Exceptional preservation of Late Jurassic Cuttlefish from Kimmeridge

Fossil cuttlefish are rarely found in the fossil record. Over the last few decades Steve Etches has discovered and prepared over ninety specimens of the ancient fossil cuttlefish Trachyteuthis all of which were collected from the 157-152 million year old Kimmeridge Clay Formation exposed along the Dorset Coast.

Many of the specimens exhibit exceptional preservation of the rarely preserved soft tissues whilst others are preserved uncrushed in 3D. Some of the specimens have been cut open to reveal that incredibly the internal organs and even the fossilised ink sack have been preserved.

Watch the full story by clicking on the You Tube video above where Steve Etches describes these remarkable fossils.

The Etches Collection Museum is located in Kimmeridge, Dorset on the World Heritage Coast and contains a nationally accredited and designated collection of over 2500 fossils from the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay Formation. The collection provides a major resource for education and research as well as being a major tourist attraction.