The holotype fossil of Namalia was found at the Buchholzbrunn member, Dabis Formation, Kuibis Subgroup, Nama Group, Namibia in 1963 by G. J.

Namalia is described as a multi-layered conical fossil, 52–90 mm (2.0–3.5 in) in length, that exhibits 27–40 longitudinally corrugated ridges on the outer surface with a blunt apex.

[1] But there are multiple other known Nama-type biota, or benthic organisms with the hard parts preserved, that are thought to have lived in similar ecological niches as N.

[3] The specimens are found filled with sand which was previously thought to have entered the quilts (skeletal structure) after death.

[2] The only other discovered site is located in the June beds in the Sewki Brook Formation in the Mackenzie Mountains in northwest Canada.