Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Chile Seizes More Than 200 Ancient Ammonite Fossils
Chile’s customs officers found more than 200 very old fossils in a shipment.
The fossils belonged to ammonites, sea animals related to octopuses and squids.
They lived about 110 million years ago.
Ammonites disappeared during a mass extinction about 66 million years ago.
The shipment was officially described as containing household decorations.
The fossils were packed in boxes and wrapped in newspapers and magazines.
Museum experts in Chile confirmed that they were real fossils.
Chile is asking Madagascar about where they came from and whether they should be returned.
Chile customs officials seized more than 200 ammonite fossils from a shipping container.
The fossils are estimated to be around 110 million years old.
The container was declared as carrying household ornaments, including chains, pendants and glass items.
Specialists at Chile’s San Antonio Museum of Natural History confirmed the fossils were genuine.
Authorities are seeking Madagascar’s response to establish the fossils’ origin and possible repatriation.
- Who
- Chile’s customs officials, with confirmation from specialists at the San Antonio Museum of Natural History.
- What
- Seizure of more than 200 genuine ammonite fossils.
- When
- The discovery was reported on September 25; the fossils date back around 110 million years.
- Where
- In a shipping container inspected in Chile; the shipment was reported as coming from China in one description and Madagascar in another.
- Why
- The fossils were found among cargo declared as household ornaments, and authorities are investigating their origin and possible repatriation.
- Items seized
- More than 200 ammonite fossils
- Estimated age
- Around 110 million years
- Fossil species
- Ammonites, extinct mollusks related to octopuses and squids
- Declared cargo
- Chains, pendants, glass household ornaments and other household decorations
- Packaging
- Cardboard boxes wrapped in newspapers and magazines
- Authenticity
- Confirmed by specialists from the San Antonio Museum of Natural History
- Origin inquiry
- Chile asked Madagascar to confirm the fossils’ origin and possible repatriation