Loading, please wait...
LOT 2364
Natural History - Knightia Fossil Fish
EOCENE PERIOD, CIRCA 58 MILLION YEARS B.P.
5 in. (147 grams, 12.8 cm).
The rectangular matrix containing a Knightia alta fish. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA.
Acquired during 1980s.
From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.
Seasonally some 58 million years ago, in the Green River region of Wyoming, torrential rains fell in the mountains. They flowed down the mountain sides, forming wide shallow lakes in the valley below. During the dry season, these lakes would dry up due to evaporation (as happens in 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 entombed all these fish. At a much later date, volcanic activity uplifted this area to expose the fossils.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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.
-
Natural History - Fossil Seed Fern Pair
Middle Pennsylvanian Period, circa 300 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising two pairs of Pecopteris sp. 118 grams total, 58-60 mm
From the Mazon Creek Fossil Beds, Braidwood, Illinois, USA. Collected 1930-1960. From the collection of the palaeontologist R Gledhill. -
Natural History - Campo Del Cielo Iron Meteorite Pair
Fell 6000-5000 years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising two iron Campo Del Cielo (IAB) meteorites. 3.07 grams total, 12 mm each
From Chaco Province, Argentina, found 1576. Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher.
A crater field of roughly 26 craters was found in the vicinity of this crater, which is estimated to date to 4-5 thousand years BP. The age of the meteorite itself is thought to be c.4.5 billion years, formed as part of the development of this solar system. The largest two fragments, the 30.8 ton Gancedo and 28.8 ton El Chaco, are among the heaviest meteorite masses ever recovered on Earth. In 1576, the governor of a province in Northern Argentina commissioned the military to search for a large mass of iron, which it was believed the local people claimed had fallen from the sky and which they used for their weapon production. The expedition discovered a large mass of metal which was assumed to be an iron mine and brought back a few samples, which were described as being of unusual purity. Following the legends, in 1774 Don Bartolomé Francisco de Maguna rediscovered the iron mass. He himself did not believe that the stone had fallen from the sky and assumed that it had formed by a volcanic eruption. However, he sent the samples to the Royal Society of London. In 1990 it became protected by law. -
Natural History - NWA 2947 L5 Chondrite Meteorite Slice in Case
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
A cut slice of NWA 2947 L5 chondrite meteorite, held in a collector's case; found North West Africa. 4.75 grams total, 32 mm wide including case
From the Sahara Desert, North Africa. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.
