Natural History - Knightia Fossil Fish

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

5 1/8 x 3 3/4 in. (277 grams, 13 x 9.5 cm).

A Knightia alta fossil fish in matrix. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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

Footnotes

Seasonally, some 56 million years ago, in the Green River Region of Wyoming, torrential rains fell on the mountains. The rain flowed down the mountain sides, forming wide shallow lakes in the valley below. During the dry season, these lakes evaporated (similar to certain parts of Africa today). Millions of fish died in this short period of time. This climatic cycle happened over a 20-thousand-year period. Layer upon layer of mud was deposited over these years, entombing huge numbers of fish. At a much later date volcanic activity uplifted this area to expose their fossils.

CONDITION

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LOT 1863