North Africa, Morocco, Ordovician, ca. 488 to 443 million years ago. This large sandstone matrix features seven fossilized prehistoric brittle starfish from the genus Ophiura, which is still present today. The starfish have five slender arms radiating from a central body, used for locomotion and feeding. This particular grouping in a single stone matrix is significant, as brittle starfish fossils from Morocco are often faked, with replicas typically displaying a painted appearance and a perfect look, lacking the finely detailed interior anatomy found in these specimens. Each fossil exhibits well-preserved body discs that house the central organs and show visible radial grooves, indicating internal structures. Size of stone matrix: 31.5" L x 1.5" W x 17" H (80 cm x 3.8 cm x 43.2 cm); 17" H (43.2 cm) on the included custom stand; fossils' arm spans are approximately 6.5" W (16.5 cm)
Provenance: Private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection
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#192053
Condition
Stone matrix is repaired from several large pieces with break lines extending across fossils. Star fish fossils are natural and not painted. Incredible details to each. Losses to some arms as shown, but 4 very complete fossils are present.