NOTORYNCHUS CEPEDIANUS (SEVEN-GILL SHARK) TOOTH

Yorktown and Pungo River Formations, Lee Creek - Aurora, North Carolina

LOWER MIOCENE PERIOD - EARLY PLIOCENE:  23 - 5.2 million years ago

Considered by some to be a different species and earlier classified as Notorynchus primigenius, teeth from this shark have been found to be indistinguishable from the extant species Notorynchus cepedianus, hence our classification.  These are all the lower teeth and they differ from Hexanchus with less cusps at 7 vs. 8 - 12 and more and larger more re-curved serrations on the anterior side of the tooth which do not extend as far down along the root.

The fossil teeth offered here are all hand-select specimens and of the absolute finest grade from this famous region.  Lee Creek already produces what many consider to be the finest color, preservation and condition of all species that are found there.  These teeth are absolute beauties and the images above fail to capture the liquid-looking enamel, mesmerizing color and pristine edges of these teeth.  If you want the finest example of this species, these are a must for your collection.

On the south shore of the Pamlico river in North Carolina near the Outer Banks lies an open pit phosphate mine still in operation.  This mine produces some of the finest fossil shark teeth in the world and the region is known as "Lee Creek" by most.  There are four recognized formations each with its respective representation of an epoch in time.  They are in order of oldest first, PUNGO RIVER (Lower Miocene), YORKTOWN (Early Pliocene), CHOWAN RIVER (Late Pliocene), and JAMES CITY (Pleistocene).  It is currently believed that the Pungo River layer once existed as a sub-tropical marine environment.  The lowest strata of this formation is theorized to have been under 100 - 200 meters of water when covered by a prehistoric ocean with the uppermost layer having existed at a depth of 70 meters under water.  The Yorktown layer is believed to have been under 80 - 100 meters at its lowest strata with a gradual decrease in the ocean depth to a point where the water was as shallow as 15 meters at the last time period of that formation's existence.

Approximately 50 species of sharks alone are found in the Lee Creek mine.  Other fossils exist representing skates, rays, bony fishes, mammals (mainly marine), reptiles (turtles) and a host of marine invertebrates.  Lee Creek is a world-class site for some of the finest shark fossils.  These specimens are coveted by collectors the world over.  All it takes is to hold one of these gem teeth in your hand and behold the beauty up close and personal.  In doing so, you too, will be hooked forever on the beauty of Lee Creek teeth.

 QUALITY AND BEAUTY RARELY FOUND!

1.15" - .75" in length

$75 - $95     SH14     INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX