Natural History - Cut and Polished Fossil Ammonite

Knightia alta specimen on a rectangular matrix. 1.03 kg, 19.8 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

Comprising a large example of turtle coprolite (fossilised turtle excrement). 181 grams, 76 mm



From the Wilkes Formation, Salmon Creek, Lewis County, Washington, USA. Acquired during the 1980s. From an old Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

The 'thunder egg' cut in half to expose the dark internal banding. 468 grams total, 81 mm each



From Agate Creek, Australia. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).