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LOT 2474
Natural History - Large Fossil Diplomystus Fish
EOCENE PERIOD, 56-33 MILLION YEARS B.P.
6 in. (395 grams, 15.2 cm).
Set in a rectangular shale matrix. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Wyoming, Green River Formation, U.S.A.
From an old Bristol, 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.
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:
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Natural History - Large Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite and Galena Crystal Specimen
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With clear quartz crystal clusters; supplied in a cardboard specimen tray. 567 grams, 10.9 cm
Very fine condition.
Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's). -
Natural History - Mosasaur Fossil Jaw Section
Cretaceous Period, 145-65 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
From the lower jaw of Mosasaur prognathodon sp. displaying some teeth. 139 grams, 93 mm
From the phosphate mine region, Khouribga, Morocco, North Africa. Acquired 1950s-1960s. From an old Bristol, UK, paleontological collection. -
Natural History - Mosasaur Fossil Jaw Section
Late Cretaceous Period, 70 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising a partial jaw and two teeth from Igdamanosaurus aegyptiacus. 110 grams, 72 mm
From the Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco, North Africa. Collected between 1930 and 1960. From the collection of the palaeontologist R Gledhill.
Most Mosasaurs had sharp teeth that had evolved to grab slippery prey such as fish. Igdamanosaurus had semi-spherical teeth with rounded points, which were better suited for crushing tough-armoured prey such as turtles, ammonites, nautili, and bivalves.