Diplomystus Dentatus Fossil Fish Plaque

Plaque
12inches length x 9inches height

Fish
6inches

Weight
2.5Kg

Approximately

Description

Magnificent Diplomystus Dentatus Sp. Fish Plaque, well preserved Fossil Fish from this location are abundant, especially the Knightia Alta Specie, however it is increasingly rare to find large complete specimens of good preservation. Most fish when fossilized, do not display full body articulation, many are distorted, eroded or malformed during fossilisation

This fish represents the very best type found in the Green River, fossil Butte formation, in terms of its size, condition and skeletal detail [vertebrae], soft tissue [scales], and the professional preparation.

Condition report

This is an acid prep plate, therefore sympathetically exposed over a long period of time, degree by degree, the fine details of the once swimming fish brought to life out of the limestone rock bed. Sublimely now displaying, fins and skeletal articulations, the dorsal fin semi-erect, tail and pectoral fin expanded. The whole fish ideally positioned in the plate as though swimming in the lake.

Fossil lake History

Unique conditions at Green River, in the region of fossil Butte 18 inch layer, during the Eocene period resulted in some of the finest fossil fish to be preserved in poorly oxygenated silts. Drainage from the uplifted Rocky Mountain range filled an intermountain basin to form, the now commonly referred to, Fossil Lake. Sub tropical climates similar to the climate of the Mediterranean today contributed to the lakes lively and fertile paleo environment, palm trees, crocodiles, turtles, and exotic fish. This locality has produced some excellent fossil fish. Palaeontologists commonly accept as among the finest fossil fish in the Palaeontological field, uniquely many fish are found perfectly articulated on sub-lithographic limestone plates forming a naturally and aesthetically pleasing and often ready formed plaque. Unlike other fossil formations around the world, these fish are most often found perfectly and entirely preserved particularly from the 18 inch layer, fortuitously some plates split open needing minimal professional prep in the Lab, often with a light air abrasive technique to bring the fish to life. These plates are termed highly laminated. These layers, it is thought are so well preserved because they lay in deep waters. The other major fossil layer or bedding plane is the Ash Layer or Split Fish Layer. These silts were more oxygenated as is thought they were formed in shallow waters of the lake. These are termed unlamented, and bigger specimen fish are much more difficult to extract and prepare in the Lab from this layer, this Ash layer is about 6 feet thick.

Genus

Diplomystus Dentatus Fish sp.

Geological Age

Tertiary Period [Palaeocene], Eocene Epoch 54-38 mya

Location

Fossil Butte region, Green River Formation, Fossil Lake, Lincoln county, 18 inch layer, Kemmerer, Wyoming, U.S.

Delivery

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