)
Dimensions
36 inches/920mm x 15 inches/380mmWeight
12Kg Free Delivery to Maniland UK Only
)
|
Dyrosaurus Phosphatosaurus Crocodile Skull and Vertebra Fossil - SP2520 | ||
| £1500.00 | |||
Description
Dyrosaurus Crocodile Fossil Skull and Vertebra
Condition Report
A exceptional juvenile specimen skull complete with original teeth in situ. also having articulated vertebrae and neural spines attached, a scientifically important feature. the distal snout end complete, displaying clear crisp features as the whole skull so does.
A slip in the geological fossil bedding plane has created a step back in the phosphate, affecting the skull in having a stepped fault line in the post cranial area as seen in the image. Although this unusual event has taken place there is neither crushing nor damage to the bone tissue in this area, to any great extent.
Note
Fossil specimens of this calibre are incredibly rare to find in the beds, especially complete and intact, with minimal malformation or crushing. A rare species from the prehistoric Crocodile of the Cretaceous Period
Fossil bed History
The Tethyan phosphate trend sprawls across North Africa and the Middle East and is mined in several countries. The Moroccan portion of the trend is presently the most exploited, producing about 19 million tonnes or 14% of the global supply [1980 figures], making this one of Morocco main industries. All mining is state-owned by the Office Cherifien des Phosphates [OCP]. The plateaux in the region there are 3 -5 main outcrops of phosphate beds. Around the area of Kouribga, the Oulad-Abdoun plateau has been mined since the 1920s.The Ganntour plateau to the south has been mined for many years. A new mine in the central area of this deposit at Ben Guerir was commissioned in 1981.
Genus
Dyrosaurus Phosphaticus sp./ Dyrosaurus Phosphatosaurus sp.
Geological Age
Maastrichtian age, Cretaceous period 135-65 mya
Location
Phosphate Deposits of Benguerir, Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco.