50 Million Year Old Eocene Fossil Giant Turtle Specimen in Stone, from Wyoming

This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armoured plates, has been exquisitely preserved and recovered from the Holzmaden Oil Shale of south Germany. The crocodile was once buried in fine, muddy sediment 195 million years ago at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean, which once existed between Europe and Africa. The calm, deep water provided a rare anoxic (without oxygen) environment, which prevented the skeleton from any significant decomposition before burial. The mud has since been compressed into oil shale, leaving the immense skeleton completely in-tact. This specimen is one of the few skeletons of Steneosaurus bollensis ever to be discovered. We can deduce much about the life of this reptile from the size and perfect preservation of the piece. Similar to present-day crocodiles, we can see that the two front limbs of the Steneosaurus are much shorter than the back two. This indicates that crocodile ancestors were bipedal; indeed, we believe that crocodiles evolved from the same reptile species as the dinosaurs and airborne pterosaurs. Dinosaurs ruled the lands during the late Triassic and early Jurassic. This made terrestrial life increasingly difficult for ancestral crocodiles, as there were many predators and prey was scarce. However, the seas were rich in fish, shellfish, starfish, crabs, squid… You can even see fossil belemnite guards (bullet shells of squid-like organisms) and the beautiful spiral shells of ammonites preserved around the crocodile skeleton...

A Stunning Knobby Ammonite Fossil Specimen, About 93 Million Years Old. This is a very beautiful, multicolored (to our eye, taupe-brown, peach, white, tan) ammonite with leafy patter...

Alethopteris Species Fern Fossil Natural Specimen, 305+ Million Years Old. This is such a stunning piece that it simply must have a stand. If you like, this stand will be included a...

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BrittleStar Fossil Specimen, 443 to 485 Million Years Old, Ordovician Period This is a stunning starfish fossil specimen that will make a very nice display. The brittlestar is clearl...

Mariopteris Species Natural Tree Fern Fossil Specimen, 300+ Million Years Old Discovered in Pennsylvania. Hues occur naturally over time through the mineralization process. The hues ...

Mariopteris Species Natural Tree Fern Fossil Specimen Over 300 Million Years Old Discovered in Pennsylvania. Hues occur naturally over time through the mineralization process. The hu...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of fully polished circa 395-million-year-old Ammonite Atlas Mountains fossil statues These are some of the most decorative pi...

Beautiful and detailed two full fossil leaves from Arkansas, USA dating 50-55 million years old from the Eocene period. Mounted on a custom acrylic stand.