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CHOICE GRADE LARGE JURASSIC SHRIMP FOSSIL ON UNBROKEN LIMESTONE PLATE MATRIX FROM SOLNHOFEN GERMANY Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation - Eichstatt, Germany UPPER JURASSIC PERIOD (MALM): 154 - 144 million years ago Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation of southern Germany is legendary. Fine quality Solnhofen fossils are now much more rare than in past years. Many superb specimens come from old private collections as modern machinery destroys many fossils that were once easy to see and extract in the days of manual labor. Also, many quarries are now closed to commercial operations. This is a TOP GRADE aesthetic example of the extinct shrimp, Antrimpos sp.. The preservation is of the finest possible condition with natural dark coloration to the shrimp as well as the shrimp being of a larger than typical size. The original limestone plate has a beautiful natural coloration in the stone and is without repair. The shrimp is superbly preserved with none of the customary painting of body parts that do not exist naturally on the matrix. Fossil shrimp with painted details sell for a fraction of this price but if you want a genuine example without such reconstruction, then this is a highly recommended example of exceptional quality. The carapace and appendages are well-mineralized and wonderfully preserved. Fossil is on its original UNBROKEN slab of beautiful lithographic limestone. 100% GENUINE. Many crustacean fossils on lithographic limestone from both Germany and Lebanon ARE artificially enhanced in some way. This often occurs by painting on fine detail of appendages and antennae at the least all the way to painting an entire animal where one did not exist. A variety of sellers feature these heavily restored fossils being sold as '100% genuine' instead of being disclosed accurately. If you examine the images above and of the other crustacean fossils we offer in this section and compare the REAL detail of our specimens with what is shown in substantially lower-priced offers of some other dealers, you will easily see the difference if they post high-resolution images. Examples of some fake crustacean fossils can be seen here. The low price of one of these fossils with heavy restoration or of a pure fake is a FRACTION of what a real specimen. Quarry owners all over the world that produce these kinds of fossils are not stupid and all know the value of genuine, fine grade specimens and charge accordingly. The dramatic effect faking and enhancement has to the price of the fossil cannot be overstated. Antrimpos is an extinct member of the diverse group of arthropods called DECAPODA. Decapods comprise lobster, shrimp, prawns and crabs. The majority of Solnhofen crustaceans are decapods. Antrimpos was a predatory marine crustacean. These marine creatures died out at the end of the Cretaceous Period. Lobster, shrimp and prawns all possess an elongated, segmented body with a flexible carapace covering the thorax and head. Other basic traits are the presence of multiple pairs of limbs and a fan-like tail. Because of the lightness and loose articulation of a decapod's carapace, intact preservation of the entire creature is quite rare and the abundance of the animal in the fossil layers is most often represented by partial or poorly preserved specimens. RARE CHOICE NATURAL PRESERVATION ON ORIGINAL BEAUTIFUL LIMESTONE PLATE MATRIX - 100% GENUINE LARGE SHRIMP! 6.3" x 5.3" overall with matrix, shrimp is 2.5" long if straightened, not including antennae $475 CRUS-016 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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