Dactylioceras Ammonite

Dactylioceras ammonite from Whitby, Yorkshire.
180 million years old.
 
In Whitby, the discovery of these ammonites were explained by the legend of St Hilda's Spell. Snakes had a bad reputation in early Christian times and were associated with the devil, so it was important to make sure no snakes were in the area where any sacred building was going to be.
According to the legend, St Hilda cast a spell that turned these snakes to stone then threw them from the cliff tops and onto the beaches where they were later found.
The power of the spell was said to have decapitated the snakes, which explained the lack of any head on the 'snakestones'.  
 
Cut base matrix making it stand, as shown. A perfect addition to any collection!
 
149g 5.4 x 5.2cm approx