Natural History - Mastodon Bone Face Carving

Comprising three round matrices, two with a single specimen and the third matrix with two overlapping Knightia alta fossil fish with remains of another to the edge. 174 grams total, 72-85 mm



Ex 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.

Comprising specimens of different sizes, including examples retaining some or most of the root, enamel and/or serration. 940 grams total, 7-27 mm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Formed as a very large crystalline form of iron pyrites (fool's gold) with large main pyritohedral crystals rising from a complex base of smaller intersecting crystals. 15.3 kg, 20.5 cm



From Peru.