Ancient Seas, Morocco, Devonian period, ca. 400 to 340 million years ago. A wonderful group of four trilobite fossils encased in a stone matrix! All are beautifully preserved with excellent details remaining. These four are of the Phacops genus and their defense mechanism was rolling into a ball, which is partially exemplified by one of these! Trilobites, meaning three lobed, have three major sections from which their name is derived! The cephalon, the head area that contains the sensory organs such as eyes and antennae, still retains much of the textured and bumpy surface. Size: 10" L x 8" W x 3" H (25.4 cm x 20.3 cm x 7.6 cm)
Trilobites are a fossil group of extinct marine creatures that form one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period (521 million years ago), and they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before beginning a drawn-out decline and then mass extinction at the end of the Permian about 252 million years ago. They were among the most successful of all early animals, roaming the oceans for over 270 million years!
Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010
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#163951
Condition
Small areas of restoration to the exoskeletons. Infill along cracks on all four. Chips and losses to eyes and high-pointed areas. Felt pads added to base for stability.