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EXTREMELY RARE SCIENTIFIC GRADE LARGE CAMBRIAN PERIOD PARADOXIDES TRILOBITE Jbel Afraou Formation - Anti-Atlas Mountain Range, South Morocco MIDDLE CAMBRIAN PERIOD: 513 - 501 million years ago The last time we saw and acquired a specimen like this was from a trip to the source in the desert nearly 12 years ago, and that was only one specimen which now resides in a national museum. Since that time, we have not had or seen quality like this in the largest of Cambrian trilobites, the Paradoxides sp. trilobite. If you are a museum curator, examine if and what quality Paradoxides you have in your collection. It is extremely rare to have a quality like this and this would be the rare chance to upgrade your specimen. This is an incredible SCIENTIFIC GRADE example and in every way, you could not improve upon it - it is simply as good as it gets. Thinking we would never again see the quality like the national museum piece we sold over a decade ago, a recent acquisition was a case of "lightning striking twice". We acquired only a few like this and it is most probable that we will not be seeing such quality for a long time, if again. If you are a collector that has been waiting and waiting and waiting for an exceptional example of the Paradoxides trilobite to come along, here is one that you cannot find a single aspect to complain about - it is simply an incredible specimen! Because of the nature in which Paradoxides fossils are found, in almost every case, they are badly damaged and substantially destroyed in the event of splitting rock. In almost ever instance, the rock shatters and must be extensively repaired. In the process, the trilobite fossil requires extensive repair and fabrication to replace missing pieces destroyed in the extraction. The surrounding rock must be extensively ground and chiseled to fully expose the trilobite. It's no wonder that over the history of Moroccan fossils, this trilobite is one of the commonly faked types found in the market. Even finding a half-decent specimen is difficult. What makes THIS particular specimen special is that none of the typical extraction problems arose in this piece and the preservation is truly unbelievable - well beyond what most museums have on display. The pigmentation on this piece is a darker brown than usually seen and not touched at all, being 100% original. Furthermore, the rock cleaved well which is RARE and therefore, the surrounding cleaved rock around the fossil is not all worked and chiseled up to make it flat and reveal the trilobite. In short, this specimen is in a class all its own regarding Paradoxides trilobites. The trilobite possesses a very concentrated layer of limonite mineralized coating causing its intense brown-orange color which we have sealed to protect it. This is an exquisite example, most appropriate for high-end collections or public institutions wishing to exhibit a premium authentic specimen. The trilobite is 100% authentic with NO RESTORATION OR FABRICATION. Fine fractures sustained in extraction were repaired only. The color is 100% original. The
extremely rare presence of numerous anatomical features are shown above
in all their splendor. If you have been looking at these
trilobites for a while, you will readily see what level of quality this
remarkable piece is. The
vast majority of Paradoxides specimens on the market are either heavily
restored or completely fabricated.
This specimen is a true rarity
and of a type that is almost NEVER encountered on the public market!
Next to dinosaur fossils, trilobites command a dedicated and passionate following amongst both scientists and fossil collectors, alike. In a relatively short time-frame (scientifically speaking, of course), we have the emergence and subsequent extinction of these fascinating creatures. Still most baffling is the incredible diversity of sizes and features that made up the trilobite group. Many bizarre species co-existed with highly specialized body parts that defy the theories of evolution in their "sudden" emergence and diversity during the Early Cambrian Period in what is known as the 'Cambrian Explosion'. Trilobites were among the world's first arthropods, a phylum of hard-shelled creatures with multiple body segments and jointed legs (although the legs, antennae and other finer structures of trilobites only very rarely are preserved). They constitute an extinct class of arthropods, Trilobita, that is comprised of over 15,000 known species. It has been reported that every year, four to five new species are discovered in the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountain regions in Morocco, alone! This desolate northern fringe of the Sahara Desert was once covered by a prehistoric ocean and its fossil deposits can be considered the world's richest and most diverse source of these ancient sea creatures. Trilobites are the single most diverse group of extinct organisms that ever existed, period! The smallest known trilobite is just three millimeters long, while the largest type grew to a length of 70 centimeters (over two feet long!). The most common fossil of trilobites is the mineralized dorsal exoskeleton of the creature. This is found in partial form from molting (shedding the shell as it grows) or in complete form when the animal was buried and died intact. The soft parts of the underside are rarely preserved. The name 'TRILOBITE' means 'three lobed" and is derived from the fact these animals had bodies featuring three longitudinal lobes, not lateral (head, body, tail) as is often thought. The lateral division of three parts is shared by many arthropods, not just trilobites. Considerable study has been done on trilobites as a whole organism. Even more fascinating though, is the research done on a microscopic level with regards to trilobite morphology. Radiographs have captured incredible detail of complete and fully articulated antennae and underparts like legs and gills, preserved in the host rock of some fossilized specimens. Perhaps the most impressive and classic feature of trilobites that comes to mind is the eyes. Microscopic studies of trilobite eye structures have also revealed marvelous adaptation and very high degrees of specialization in vision. It seems that the more we learn about trilobites, the unfolding of their mystery is stranger than fiction. Certainly we gain a greater appreciation with each new discovery of these strange and highly advanced but now extinct 'butterflies of the ancient seas'. UNHEARD OF SCIENTIFIC GRADE PRESERVATION AND INTACTNESS - LARGE, MUSEUM-CLASS EXAMPLE WITH 100% AUTHENTIC ANATOMY 17" long x 14.75" wide with matrix, trilobite is 11.75" long $2395 TR1-040 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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References: - http://www.wolfram-heldmaier.de/geologie/diss/pdf/Diss_WH_Intro.pdf |
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