63MM Pygurus Marmonti Sea Urchin Fossil Sand Dollar Jurassic Age Madagascar

Location: Majanga, Madagascar

Weight: 3.8 Ounces

Dimensions: 63MM

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Pygurus marmonti, commonly known as a fossil sand dollar or fossil sea urchin, is an extinct echinoid that lived during the Jurassic Period, approximately 145 to 200 million years ago. Belonging to the echinoid family of marine invertebrates, this species is easily recognized by its distinctive five-pointed star pattern, which reflects the internal symmetry typical of sea urchins. Fossils discovered in Madagascar are especially prized for their preservation and natural beauty, often displaying smooth surfaces and well-defined details.

During its lifetime, Pygurus marmonti inhabited shallow marine environments where it burrowed into soft seafloor sediments. After death, the hard shell, or test, became buried beneath layers of sediment. Over millions of years, mineral replacement and compression transformed these remains into durable fossils, preserving intricate surface patterns and structural features.

Today, fossil specimens of Pygurus marmonti provide valuable insights into Jurassic marine ecosystems while also serving as popular collector’s items due to their symmetry, detail, and aesthetic appeal.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in Madagascar do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures; however, natural cracks are visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.