Authentic Tibetan Ammonite Fossil, Jaiben Village, Tibet. This authentic ammonite fossil, an extinct shelled cephalopod, estimated to be approximately 66 million years old, was purchased from a Tibetan Fossicker in Jaiben Village (甲本村), Tibet, on the road to Everest Base Camp.
Driving for more than 2 hours through fields on what are little more than sheep tracks, the 70 kilometer journey from the sealed road near Zhazang is very slow and bumpy.
In such a remote location there is little passing traffic, and people flock to the buying road from all areas around where vehicles stop. Children of all ages come running up with open, out-stretched hands to see what treats they can get.
Dimensions of fossil (Ammonite side): (approx.) 131mm (w) x 85mm (l) x 35mm (d)
Dimensions of fossil (Rock side): (approx.) 122mm (w) x 71mm (l) x 65mm (d)
Combined weight: 836g
Situated on the road to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side of the Himalaya, Jaiben Village is a ‘blink and you'll miss it' kind of place. With no sealed roads, the dominant way of life in this part of the world is through herding livestock. The only source of water is from what rainfall can be caught, and the melt running downstream from Everest.
Even though the ammonite this local Fossicker had to sell had been broken and glued back together, I felt that buying this from him was the right thing to do so he could use the money as he saw fit in a place where there are few other options.
This fossil is in the same condition as when I picked it up, and has been lovingly displayed with other prized and rare stones, fossils and crystals.
Sold as a one off single listing this includes both halves of the fossil as shown in the photographs.
Product code: Tibetan Whole Ammonite – buying 836g Rough Two Piece Set