Geological Descriptionįossils (from Latin fossus, literally having been dug up) are the mineralised or otherwise preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms. Sliced in half to make a pair, they were often given as wedding presents because they represented a journey and two parts coming together as a whole. In 18th century Germany and England they were added to water as drakestones (dragonstone) or crampstones to treat livestock. During the early 19th century English fossil hunters referred to ammonites as cornemonius, a corruption of the Latin name hammonis cornu.Īmmonites were used in folk medicine across Europe for snake bites, fertility, and birthing pains. These petrified snakestones were carved or painted with a head on them and sold as pious souvenirs. The 7th Century Saint Hilda of Whitby turned an infestation of snakes to stone to enable an abbey to be constructed. Pliny the Elder, the Roman historian, described ammonites as the holiest stones in ancient Aethiopia because they were believed to bring prophetic dreams.Īmmonites have had a long association with serpents in English legend. Ammon is represented in ancient literature by the head of a ram with twisted spiral horns that are reminiscent of an ammonites spiralled shells. The name “ammonite” is derived from the name of the ancient Egyptian god Ammon who believed these creatures were divine. Ammonites varied in size from 2 meters (6.5 feet) down to 2 cm (0.75 inches) in diameter. As it matured and grew, larger chambers were added at the opening. Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal. The soft-bodied animal living in this shell most-likely resembled an octopus but with shorter arms. A tube called the siphuncle, connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or descend in the ocean water column. The shells of ammonites had hollow chambers separated by walls called septa.
Ammonites were mollusks with shells that were predominantly tightly coiled on a single plane like a wheel. They became especially abundant and widespread in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, 175 million to 65 million years ago. Ammonites first appeared during the Middle Devonian Period around 400 million years ago. Modern members include the nautilus, squid, cuttlefish and octopus. History and UsesĪmmonites are invertebrates and extinct members of the subclass Ammonoidea, class Cephalopoda. Traditionally, they were used to honour ancestors and to connect to ancient sources of knowledge. Ammonites may be especially useful for past life recall and to contact spirit guides. Ammonites are believed to help you gain perspective on the present, integrate information about the past or potential future, or aid in reorienting yourself after entering altered states of consciousness. They are thought to help you instil quality and excellence in your environment. Fossils may assist you in your quest for transition, transformation and personal growth, helping you to understand the process of change. It is thought to aid us to be receptive to the fresh, innovative forces that are available to you. Number: 8 Ammonite Crystal Healing Propertiesįossils are a wonderful tool to assist you in moving from the old to the new. Transition, transformation, personal growth
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