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ULTRA RARE 16 INCH MUSEUM-CLASS COMPLETE SEA SCORPION EURYPTERID FOSSIL FROM THE DEVONIAN PERIOD OF GERMANY Western Germany LOWER DEVONIAN (EMSIAN) PERIOD: 407 - 397.5 million years ago While Silurian Period eurypterid fossils are readily available on the fossil market, DEVONIAN Period specimens are NOT. This is not only a chance to acquire an EXTREMELY RARE and UNUSUALLY LARGE AND COMPLETE example from the Devonian Period but, also a chance to acquire one from an extremely rare source in Europe. Fossils like these are so rare they are cannot be commercially mined like the New York varieties. The collection we offer this specimen came from a single individual who dug them back in the early 1980's when it was still legal to collect these fossils. Several years ago, we purchased that lifetime collection. This is one of only six specimens acquired direct from that original collector and once we sell out of these, we will never have anything like this again as the site has been closed for quite some time, reserved only for scientific study and access. Of the entire collection we purchased, EUR001 seen here, was the largest followed by this one as the second largest. If you know Eurypterid fossils, you will immediately see the rarity in that this is a prize piece in such a size and completeness. The fossils from this region are not found with the same quality of preservation and detail as the Silurian examples from New York, USA. Whether the age is a factor or the geological conditions of the site, the fossils are preserved in basic outline form with natural orange and brown colors. The detail seen in New York Silurian specimens was never found in the material collected at this discovery site in Germany. Nevertheless, these Germany Devonian eurypterid fossils are far more rare as they are. Even compared to New York Silurian specimens, the one shown above at 16 inches in length, is a WORLD PRIZE FIND for being this size AND for being complete. EXCEEDING a length that is TRIPLE the average length for these creatures, this is quite a remarkable specimen. This complete prehistoric EURYPTERID (otherwise known as a SEA SCORPION) is of the ADELOPTHALMIDAE group of eurypterids from the Early Devonian deposits of Europe. It is shown in 100% natural form on the original rock it was found on. The surrounding matrix was ground away and the fossil was sealed with a stabilizer to protect its delicate natural three-dimensional features such as areas of original carapace layers and natural colors of orange, yellow and brown. The close-up images show a fossilized original carapace in bright pumpkin orange and gold hues. Body and some faint appendage segments can also be seen. No words can emphasize the sheer rarity of this specimen. It cannot be compared to any of the common North American specimens, in any way. If you wish to exhibit an ULTRA-RARE West European specimen from the Devonian, and one with substantial size and great preservation, this is a chance that will not come again. Outside of this small collection we acquired, we have only seen one other example from Germany for sale. Collected several decades ago when it was legal to dig in the deposit (long since closed and protected by the Germany government) and recently prepared in our lab, this is a complete Early Devonian fossil of a sea scorpion too rare to be accurately attributed to a specific species other than attributed to the family of Adelopthalmidae, due to the scarcity of known specimens. NO FABRICATION OR RESTORATION. Eurypterids are fascinating fossils and represent what many to believe to be the first life-forms that progressed out of water onto dry land. This fossil represents a scientific keystone in the progression and variety of Earth's life-forms and natural history and would surely be an important inventory specimen in ANY collection. For trilobite or other fossil arthropod collections, this would definitely be one of the central specimens of visitor interest in a public or private forum. EURYPTERIDS or SEA SCORPIONS were aquatic arthropods that were highly efficient predators predating the most primitive fishes. The largest known arthropods to have ever lived were eurypterids. Eurypterids are believed to have possibly had dual breathing capabilities in order to allow them to live in water and also venture for short periods of time onto dry land. Eurypterids are also scientifically interesting fossils because they are believed to be related to a predatory arthropod found in Cambrian strata dating from demonstrating the first evidence of creatures emerging from water to walk on land. All eurypterids are extinct and their fossil remains are found in deposits ranging from the Ordovician Period to the Permian Period. Eurypterids are crustacean-like creatures that had a chitinous exoskeleton similar to trilobites. Also similar to trilobites, eurypterids are made up of three fundamental regions - a head (CEPHALON or PROSOMA), a body (ABDOMEN or OPISTHOSOMA) and a tail spike (TELSON or TERMINAL METASOMA). The upper body and head are often combined in terminology to be called a CEPHALOTHORAX and the main body called an ABDOMEN. Eurypterids have compound eyes and typically had six pairs of appendages found near the head. The first pair were claws (although some varieties lacked claws), followed by four pairs of walking legs and finally, a pair of swimming appendages (also lacking in some varieties). Some types achieved lengths of 2.5 meters but most were between 10 to 12 cm long. INCREDIBLY RARE IN THIS SIZE AND THE SECOND LARGEST SIZE FOUND NEXT TO EUR001 - MORE THAN TRIPLE THE TYPICAL LENGTHS FOUND 20" by 16" overall with rock plate, eurypterid is 16" in length if straightened $3995 EUR006 Actual Item - One Only Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet |
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References: - Tetlie, O. Erik, 2007. Distribution and dispersal history of Eurypterida (Chelicerata) - Owen, Richard 1852. "Description of the impressions and footprints of the Protichnites from the Potsdam Sandstone of Canada". Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 8: 214–225. |
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