Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 2153

Natural History - Green River Fossil Fish Group

EOCENE PERIOD, CIRCA 56-33 MILLION YEARS B.P

6 1/4 in. (243 grams, 15.8 cm).

Two Green River fish specimens Diplomystus sp. in a matrix. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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

Footnotes

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.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 2153

Natural History - Green River Fossil Fish Group

Sold for (Inc. bp): £59

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Natural History - Insects with Leaves
    Natural History - Insects with Leaves
    Eocene Period, circa 58 million years B.P.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £7

    Comprising: a matrix displaying dozens of insects with a leaf, showing specimens on both sides of the matrix, and a matrix including a Salix sp. leaf and two Metasequoia. 140 grams total, 9-11.5 cm



    From the Florissant fossil quarry, Florissant, Colorado, USA; and the Muddy Creek Formation, Beaverhead County, Montana, USA.

    Lot Details

  • Natural History - Fossil Keichousaurus Marine Reptile Skeleton
    Natural History - Fossil Keichousaurus Marine Reptile Skeleton
    Triassic Period, circa 250 million years B.P.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340

    Comprising a complete Keichousaurus hui skeleton on a rectangular matrix. 2.58 kg, 20 x 29.5 cm



    From Xingyi, Guizhou, China. Ex J. Shaul, collection, UK.

    Keichousaurus was a late Triassic marine reptile, a member of the Pleurosaur family, which went extinct 250 million years ago during the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event. They were specialised fish eaters, and were highly unusual amongst marine reptiles in that they gave birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

    Lot Details

  • Natural History - Knightia Fossil Fish Group
    Natural History - Knightia Fossil Fish Group
    Eocene Period, circa 56-33 million years B.P.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £20

    Comprising three Knightia alta specimens, each on a rounded matrix. 177 grams total, 80-91 mm



    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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list