Ammonis cornua facts for kids

Ammonis was a type of ammonite that is now extinct. Ammonites were ancient sea creatures with spiral shells. The name Ammonis is considered a nomen dubium, which means "doubtful name." This is because scientists are not completely sure about its classification.

The only known species of Ammonis was called Ammonis cornua. Its fossils were found near Pompeii in Ancient Rome. These fossils were discovered in rocks that were about 110 million years old. This is the same age as the rocks where the dinosaur Scipionyx was found.

Where Did Its Name Come From?

The name Ammonis cornua comes from the spiral shape of the fossil shells. They looked a bit like the tightly coiled horns of rams.

Pliny the Elder, a famous Roman writer who lived in the first century A.D., named these fossils. He called them ammonis cornua, which means "horns of Ammon." This was because the Egyptian god Ammon (Amun) was often shown wearing ram's horns.

You might notice that the names of many ammonite groups end in -ceras. This word comes from the Greek word "κέρας" (kéras), which also means "horn."

What Happened to Ammonis Fossils?

Sadly, all the known fossils of Ammonis cornua were destroyed in A.D. 79. This happened when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city of Pompeii.