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NATURAL DOUBLE HOLLARDOPS ( METACANTHINA ) TRILOBITE LAB PREPPED Hamar Laghdad Formation - Erfoud, Morocco DEVONIAN PERIOD: 395-345 million years ago
With some of the most impressive, three-dimensional relief possible, this natural double "train wreck" specimen of two Hollardops trilobites is a super display specimen viewable for ALL sides. Both trilobites and the surrounding limestone "hill" that is their original rock matrix, have been carefully lab-prepped with high-tech micro-abrasive equipment to fully expose every bit of tiny detail. The end result was worth the extra expense and labor and has produced this fascinating, fine quality fossil.
When living creatures were victims to mass burials prior to fossilization, this specimen demonstrates how they are literally jammed upon one another in the sediments. We prepared this double fossil to be viewed from every angle. A smaller Hollardops is shown situated beneath a larger trilobite of the same. The entire fossil is natural with the exception of a minor fracture on the hump of the smaller bug that required minor restoration in an area only 5 mm by 4 mm in size. The eye detail is quite evident on these bugs with the larger displaying fine multi-lens detail as shown above.
With their dramatic articulation and full inflation, this is a hard to beat natural double specimen and with our preparation, comes with high recommendation as a fine quality multiple Hollardops example.
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'. VERY DRAMATIC POSES ON THIS NATURAL AND GENUINE DOUBLE TRILOBITE! 3.75" x 3.25" wide with original matrix, trilobites 2.4" and 2" in lengths respectively, if straightened SOLD TR404 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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