CLUSTER OF 16 ORTHOCERA FOSSILS ENCASED IN A LARGE POLISHED BLACK LIMESTONE SLAB

Description

A Cluster Of 16 Different Cephalopod (ie: Marine Animal) Orthocera Fossils Encased In A Large Polished Black Limestone Slab. It is in beautiful condition. Of the sixteen fossils, ten are raised 3-dimensional Orthocera Fossils up to eleven inches in length (see Photos #4 - #9) while six are smaller but distinctive 2-dimensional fossils (see Photos #2 & #3). This particular Fossil Cluster comes from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and is especially noteworthy due to its overall size and the size of the individual fossils, the number of fossils in the cluster, and the 3-dimensional fossil presentation. By comparison, similar fossils are usually 2-dimensional, small in size, and the Slabs contain only one to four individual fossils. This particular Fossil Collectible also comes with an adjustable Display Stand (see Photo #11). The Cluster measures 13&1/2 to 16 Inches High x 10 to 13 Inches Wide x 1 to 2&1/2 Inches Deep and weighs slightly more than 15 pounds. One Original Owner. I purchased it in 1987 at the Geomania Gemmes & Mineraux Store & Museum in Quebec City, Canada (Web Address "geomania.ca") for 1 US. Comparably sized fossil clusters sell for approximately 0 US today. Limestone is a rock formed from ancient sea beds that often becomes "marble" over a longer period of time.This explains the "marble-like" appearance and feel of the fossilized Limestone Slab. The Orthocera was an ancient mollusk that first appeared during the Ordovician Period some 488 Million years ago when most of the Earth was covered by water. The distinct segments of its tubular shape are called "Septas" and the number of "Septas" is indicative of its age. Most grew to a length of 8" - 10"; however, this was primarily due to the number of predators that successfully hunted them. Orthoceras that survived predators are known to have continued to grow to a length of Twelve Feet. Orthoceras were also predators and fed mainly off of Plankton and Trilobites. They were very fast and elusive swimmers that used a unique form of "water jet" propulsion for movement. Like their descendants the Octopus, they also produced and ejected a dark ink as a defense against predators. An Artist Rendering of what the Orthocera is thought to have appeared alive is depicted in Photo #12. I would recommend Palaeontologyonline.com as an excellent resource and reference for those seeking additional information.