Natural History - Fossil Agadir Ammonite

Comprising a Knightia alta specimen on a sedimentary matrix. 331 grams, 12.7 cm



From Wyoming, Green River Formation, U.S.A. Acquired during the 1980s. From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.

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.

Displaying one polished face containing vertebra section. 624 grams, 18.4 cm



From Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK. Ex UK collection.

Ichthyosaurs (from the Greek, meaning 'fish lizard') are extinct marine reptiles which resembled modern dolphins in appearance; the first complete UK specimen was found by the famous fossil hunter Mary Anning (1799-1847 AD) when she was just 12 years of age; the fossil she found is now in the Natural History Museum, London.

Showing the odontopleurid trilobite specimen on an irregular matrix; repaired. 180 grams, 70 mm



From Hamar L'Aghdad limestones, Djebel Issomour area, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco. From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.