A fossil or fossilized remains of a sea urchin or the spines from spiny marine animals, found in sedimentary rocks.
From Greek 'echinos' (ἐχῖνος) meaning 'hedgehog' or 'sea urchin,' with the suffix '-ite' indicating a fossil or stone. Used in paleontology since the 18th century.
Echinites are one of the most common fossils found in chalk deposits across Europe—they're so numerous because sea urchins thrived in ancient seas, and their hard spines fossilized beautifully!
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