Rare Ankylosaur Osteoderm | Polacanthus foxii | Isle of Wight, UK

A rare, complete ankylosaur osteoderm (armour plate) from the Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight. This osteoderm comes from Polacanthus, the classic 'spike-armoured' dinosaur of the Isle of Wight. Polacanthus was a heavy, armoured dinosaur that roamed the subtropical floodplains of Early Cretaceous Britain. Measuring up to 5 meters long, it was covered in an impressive array of sharp shoulder spikes, keeled dermal armour, and a solid bony shield fused over its hips to protect against predators like Neovenator.

The geological formation where this bone was found, the Wessex Formation, is an Early Cretaceous geological unit of mudstones, sandstones, and plant debris beds, formed in a subtropical floodplain with rivers and lagoons. It yields diverse fossils, including iguanodontids like Iguanodon and Mantellisaurus, theropods like Neovenator, and sauropods like Ornithopsis, plus crocodiles, fish, and pollen. Its significance lies in its rich dinosaur record, offering a snapshot of a vibrant, herbivore-dominated ecosystem in prehistoric Europe.    

The fossil comes with a display stand as pictured, along with a small card featuiring the specimen name, place it was found and age.

This is genuine fossil. All the specimens we offer come with a lifetime authenticity guarantee.

Condition: Very Good | Size: 2.75 inch | Age: 130 - 125 Million Years | Found: Yaverland, Isle of Wight (Wessex Formation)