The ancient Egyptian god, Ammon (who in later centuries would be known as Amun-Ra) was often depicted with the horns of a ram and referred to as ‘Lord of the Two Horns’.
In later centuries, Ammon would provide the root of many names, ranging from Ammonia (named by the Romans as ‘sal ammoniacus’ – the salt of Ammon), to a region in the human brain called the Cornu Ammonis (literally ‘Ammon’s Horns').
But perhaps the best-known use of the ancient god’s name is in Ammonite: the extinct cephalopod (related to today’s octopus and squid) that first appeared over 400 million years ago.
The ammonite is a common find for the fossil hunter, and its tightly coiled shell, resembling the curled horn of a ram, is instantly recognisable.
Timeless Galleries are pleased to offer a large cut and polished specimen of the ammonite Cleoniceras, which swam the shallow seas of present-day Madagascar around 100 million years ago. Over 9cm in diameter, this ancient fossil would make a great gift for a budding naturalist!
LARGE CLEONICERAS AMMONITE
Acquired by Timeless on the UK Mineral and Fossil Market, 2017. Originally of Madagascan provenance.