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50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)
About the Item
This sculptural stone specimen features an extraordinarily rare crocodile (Borealosuchus wilsoni), who ruled as the apex predator in the ancient lake known to scientists today as Fossil Lake, part of the world-renowned Green River Formation.
Approximately 50 million years ago, this fearsome crocodile stalked the lush, tropical habitat of Eocene-era Wyoming. When this now-extinct crocodile met his demise, the remains were exquisitely preserved by the unique properties of the ancient lake. Due to the lack of oxygen at depth and the constant flow of fresh sediments into the lake, the specimen was left relatively intact. Because the remains were both untouched by scavengers and buried quickly, the preservation and then fossilization processes were able to commence almost right away.
-Total size: 49" H x 90" W x 2.75" D
-Total weight: estimated 335 lbs
-Transports in a custom crate
-Includes a Green River Stone Company Certificate of Authenticity
-Fossil Content: (1) Borealosuchus wilsoni (measuring 104.5” long from nose to tail, skull measures 19.25" long by 8.5” wide)
The specimen is attached to a wood structural armature designed to support its weight in a wall mounted presentation. The mural has a two-part Alder wood French cleat for easy hanging and is framed in a 3/4” thick handmade Wenge wood frame.
This breathtaking specimen must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. We encourage anyone interested to contact us for a private viewing.
Points of Interest
The color of this fossil specimen is unique among Green River Formation crocodiles; it is an exceptionally rich hue. Multiple large and small teeth are visible along both the upper and lower jaw lines. Along the entire body one can see multiple dorsal scutes, or protective bony plates located just under the skin. The crocodile has multiple ribs partially exposed along the lower belly line. The highly visible black stomach contents showcase a number of gastroliths, stones deliberately consumed to act as ballast and aid in digestion. In addition to the crocodile, there are a number of unprepared fish visible in the stone matrix.
This is truly an amazing fossil, exceptional in its level of completeness and fossil preservation. In the 150 years of professional and scholarly fossil excavation in the Green River Formation, less than twenty complete crocodiles have been found. Few have approached this level of quality.
About the work
Green River Fossil Company is a world leader in fossil preparation and presentation, specializing in the unique fossil treasures available from the Green River Formation of Wyoming, USA.
Fifty million years ago, in southwestern Wyoming, a tropical freshwater lake teemed with life. Turtles, fish, crocodiles, and lush vegetation were all once well-established inhabitants of the region. Today, the lake has transformed into an incredibly rich cache of fossils where the past is forever preserved in layers of natural, sculptural limestone. This is famously known as the Green River Formation.
Professional fossil hunters scout out and excavate fossils from Green River Fossil Company's private quarry; the fossils are then brought to the GRFC lab in northern Utah. Leading experts in fossil preparation perform the painstaking task of revealing the finely preserved details of every specimen. All work adheres to the strict standards of the American Association of Applied Paleontological Science, as is attested to in each work of art's unique Certificate of Authenticity.
Green River Fossil Company has supplied exquisite examples of natural art and outstanding specimens to world-class museums, universities, collectors, interior designers, and art lovers. The collection of natural history presented here highlights important one-of-a-kind specimens as well as attainable works of natural art.
- Creator:Green River Fossil Company (Workshop/Studio)
- Dimensions:Height: 49 in (124.46 cm)Width: 90 in (228.6 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2022
- Production Type:New & Custom(One of a Kind)
- Estimated Production Time:Available Now
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Logan, UT
- Reference Number:Seller: 181108703gm1stDibs: LU5860233856302
Green River Fossil Company
The Green River Fossil Company provides a unique decor option that would be difficult for any other firm to offer — 50-million-year-old fossils from the early Eocene Period. The company extracts all their fossils from the compacted sediment where there was once a freshwater lake located in Wyoming. With the fossils they acquire, the company produces one-of-a-kind, museum-quality murals, interior design projects and free-standing fossil stone products, each unlike any other.
Green River Fossil affords clients the opportunity to possess the remnants of an era that predates humankind by millions of years. Murals comprising the fossils of extinct turtles, fish — even palm fronds — offer a connection to a time when the Earth was almost an entirely different world altogether.
Many private collections and museums display murals produced by Green River, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas.
Founded in 2000, Green River Fossil owns a private quarry in Wyoming and has established its preparatory labs in Logan, Utah. All fossils are collected and prepared according to a strict code of ethics put forth by the American Association of Paleontological Suppliers, as well as all state and federal laws.
On 1stDibs, find Green River Fossil Company natural specimens, sculptures and wall decorations.
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Logan, UT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
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