Ancient Seas, North America, South Dakota, Pennington County, Cheyenne River, Pierre Shale Formation, Cretaceous Period, ca. 83.6 to 72.1 million years ago. A collection of fossilized shell fragments from baculite cephalopods, a type of heteromorph ammonite with a straight rather than spiraling shell. Included are 13 pieces that have interesting fern like suture patterns and pearlescent hues. These columnar structures are the outer layers from the shell that protected the soft tissues of the animal inside- their tentacles reaching out from the wide chamber opening - perfectly exemplified by the included drawing. All are mounted with copper wires on a felt and wood frame as a great educational and display piece. Size (largest fossil): 7" L x 2.25" W (17.8 cm x 5.7 cm); (frame): 20.5" L x 17" W (52.1 cm x 43.2 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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#172147

Fossils are fragments of larger shells. Repairs to fossils, pieces reattached and visible break lines. Mounted on a wood and felt frame with a glass covered paper drawing and label mounted in the center. Some scuffs to wood frame.