We Dig Ammonites - by Jodi Summers (Hardcover)

About the Book

"One of paleontology's stars is the pleasantly spiraled ammonoid. These surprising cephalopods adapted or struggled through to virtually every environment in the ocean and can now be discovered in fossil horizons around the world. Nearly 20,000 ammonoid species have been discovered in sedimentary layers from Alabama to Zanzibar, with fossil beds and new genera identified frequently. During its 350-million-year swim through deep time, the ammonoid's conch changed so rapidly that geologists can date a rock outcrop according to the species of ammonoid found in that strata of stone. This book will be illustrated with detailed photographs highlighting the beauty and diversity of this extraordinary cephalopod. As we explore the animal's adventures through Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic history, chapter appropriate locations highlight the ammonoid's proliferation, diversity, and extinction against the backdrop of Earth history." Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Ammonites swam in Earth's ancient seas for nearly 400 million years. These prolific cephalopods diversified into more than 10,000 species before meeting their demise during the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Today, these spiral-shelled invertebrates are among the most abundant fossils in the geologic record, found from snowcapped Himalayan peaks to parched South American arroyos. People around the world have long been drawn to the mystery and beauty of ammonite fossils. These preternaturally preserved creatures have inspired age-old myths and legends, and studying their secrets has spurred crucial scientific discoveries.

Jodi Summers--an accomplished journalist and passionate fossil collector--guides readers through the entire arc of ammonite history. She explores the evolution, proliferation, extinction, and fossilization of these captivating cephalopods, situating the story in the progression of deep time. Summers also prospects prime fossil-hunting locations, sharing tips, export legalities, and inside scoops for enthusiasts and collectors in search of notable specimens. She takes us along on her globe-spanning journeys: from the desert to the seashore, up mountains and down canyons, to the backrooms of natural history institutions and the floors of fossil shows.

We Dig Ammonites features hundreds of lavish color photographs of rare specimens that showcase the splendor of these magnificent molluscs. This book is an ode to one of the world's most compelling fossils and an invitation to catch a glimpse of vanished epochs.

Review Quotes

Jodi Summers brings a rare blend of deep paleontological expertise and decades of hands-on field experience to We Dig Ammonites. Her passion for ancient life shines through on every page, making this an essential and engaging read for fossil enthusiasts and curious minds alike.--Anthony Lindgren, owner of Lindgren Fossils, LLC

There is so much information in Jodi Summers's amazingly comprehensive look at ammonites--from their history and biology to the specifics of collecting in fossil localities all over the globe. Just the photos alone are enough to make an ammonite-ophile out of any reader!--Karol McQueary, Southern California Paleontological Society

About the Author

Jodi Summers is a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History. She was an editor for several rock music magazines and has written three books on the music industry as well as several blogs on historic landmarks and other properties. Her ammonite collection includes more than a thousand specimens.

Andy Secher, a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, is the author of Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic (Columbia, 2022) and The Trilobite Collector's Guide (Columbia, 2024).

Neil H. Landman is curator emeritus in the Department of Invertebrate Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History.