Fossils of the genus Lituites are especially popular among collectors because of the curled tip. They are certainly among the most beautiful cephalopods of the Ordovician, but are rarely found in northern germany. On this piece there are two specimens. One showed already in the state of finding at least one complete whorl, whereas the second specimen unfortunately turned out to be incomplete.

The preparation of cephalopods from the Ordovician limestones found as glacial erratics is usually difficult. Since the rock is extremely hard and the shell (if preserved) thin and very fragile, work must be done very carefully and gently. Quite often the  cephalopods are filled with calcite crystals, which makes them even more fragile. This is also the case with this piece. After completion of the preparation work a very attractive specimen shows up with an unusually well preserved Lituites sp., another incomplete specimen and an unspecified orthocone cephalopod. 

Fossil: Lituites sp.

Locality: Rügen (Germany)

Formation: Middle Ordovician

Length of the slab: 19cm

Work required: 10 hours

Collection: Martin Bochmann