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RARE MUSEUM GRADE LARGE CAMBROPALLAS TRILOBITE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE Anti-Atlas Region, Northern Sahara Desert, Morocco LOWER CAMBRIAN PERIOD: 550 million years ago For those collectors that demand THE BEST, this Cambropallas telesto trilobite is hard to improve upon. Featured here is a highly rare, NATURAL AND LARGE example of this species with BOTH sides of the original rock exhibiting a remarkably large and pristine positive / negative impression. The Cambropallas (aka Andalusiana) trilobite, is a staple in fossil dealers' inventory. It is not considered that unique of a species because it has been stigmatized by the extremely prevalent practice of faking or heavily reconstructing the specimen. Even rare positive and negative specimens such as this example are now being faked by taking a predominantly reconstructed positive and molding a "negative" side in putty. This wonderful species of trilobite is common, yes, but unfortunately, it is rarely offered in it's natural form as shown here. Quality like this is seldom, if ever found today. There are only cracks filled where the rock fractured and these areas amount to less than 1% overall restoration. The quality and completeness of this Cambropallas make this an extreme premium grade and of a quality that most museums lack of the ones they have in their collections. Anatomy of this prize museum-grade specimen is present in superb and rarely seen preservation. Specimens such as these are practically impossible to come by as almost all of these that are found require some fabricated portions to fill what got destroyed in the extraction process. Due to the nature of splitting and hammering the rock, damage and breakage is unavoidable but to acquire a COMPLETE and large specimen such as this is extremely rare. The cephalon (head) including both eyes is totally genuine. Even the edges of the pleural spines are preserved impressions and intact (less the filled areas from repair as mentioned) - ultra-rare! The articulation is beautiful and the creature's inflation and overall detail are of the finest you will ever see. Their wonderful full impression can also be seen in the negative impression rock half. Specimens like this one are sure to be a prized addition to any collection. Not only is it valuable for its natural condition, but it is ONE OF THE BEST specimens of this type we have seen. If you have always held out owning this species because you have been discouraged by the inferior quality specimens out there, then jump on this one. This stunning example is impossible to improve on in quality!
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'. AS THE MOST HEAVILY RESTORED TRILOBITE ON THE MARKET, IT IS RARE TO FIND A SPECIMEN THAT HAS A COMPLETE
AUTHENTIC IMPRESSION IN
BOTH SIDES OF THE ROCK SLAB!
13.5" in length by
9" in width with matrix,
trilobite is 10.75" in
length $985 TR2-038 INCLUDES
STAND Actual
Item - One Only |
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985 |
