The fossilized shells of Ammonites are typically spiral-shaped, very much like that of the Nautilus. However, around 170 million years ago, these squid-like creatures began to build their shells in exotic, highly variable shapes. The species pictured here is Ancyloceras vandenheckii, which is typically found in Morocco. However, heteromorph ammonites are...

Ferns are a very ancient family of plants. They predate the beginning of the Mesozoic era, 360 million years ago. By as early as the Triassic period, evidence of ferns related to several modern families appeared. Most modern ferns are leafy plants which grow in moist areas under forest canopy,...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

Ferns are a very ancient family of plants. They predate the beginning of the Mesozoic era, 360 million years ago. By as early as the Triassic period, evidence of ferns related to several modern families appeared. Most modern ferns are leafy plants which grow in moist areas under forest canopy,...

Brittle stars or ophiuroids are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea closely related to starfish. They crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The most famous Jurassic deposit in the world, is found in the Solnhofen, and Eichstatt of Germany. Limestone that make up this formation were...

Kolihapeltis chlupaci (Lower Devonian: 420-400 MYO)   Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

From Moscow, Russia      A slice of a fossilized pseudomorphic ammonite that has been replaced molecule by molecule by metallic pyrite with iridescent luster on the outer surfaces with exposed chambers that are now lined with metallic pyrite crystals.    6 lbs, 10 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches

Pyritized Ammonite From Moscow, Russia    A slice of a fossilized pseudomorphic ammonite that has been replaced molecule by molecule by metallic pyrite with iridescent luster on the outer surfaces with exposed chambers that are now lined with metallic pyrite crystals.  9 lbs, 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches

Pyritized Ammonite From Moscow, Russia    A slice of a fossilized pseudomorphic ammonite that has been replaced molecule by molecule by metallic pyrite with iridescent luster on the outer surfaces with exposed chambers that are now lined with metallic pyrite crystals.  9 lbs, 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches

Pyritized Ammonite From Moscow, Russia    A slice of a fossilized pseudomorphic ammonite that has been replaced molecule by molecule by metallic pyrite with iridescent luster on the outer surfaces with exposed chambers that are now lined with metallic pyrite crystals.  9 lbs, 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides called turbidite sequences, which ravaged the early earth when the continents were still very much on the move. The contorted body positions of...