North America, United States, Late Triassic to Miocene, ca. 225 to 15 million years ago. A collection of 4 unique pieces of petrified / fossilized wood! The exterior bark is fossilized, replaced by rough stone, while the interior features incredible, colorful quartz and agate which can be viewed from the cross cut sections. Here we can see the ridges and different layers of the wood that have been incredibly preserved for millions of years! The remains of a small branch knob and knot holes are present on two pieces, and just like natural wood today the graining and coloration of each petrified slab is unique with special character! The natural exterior of the petrified wood is not only aesthetical, but also as an educational and intriguing display of prehistoric trees. Size of largest: 7" L x 3" W x 9" H (17.8 cm x 7.6 cm x 22.9 cm)

The petrification process involves the rapid burial of the tree or pieces under sediment which prevents the usual decay. Flooding and volcanic activity are usually responsible for creating the layers of sand, silt, and ash needed to create the right types and amount of sediment. Mineralized water can then permeate through the wood, coating cell walls and filling the intercellular cavities which then fossilizes into stone. The detailed preservation of the wood, including knots, rings, and bark, are possible because the organic wood molecules become coated and surrounded with smaller silica molecules.

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#177737

Professionally cut and prepared. Cross sections are polished. Branch knob on smallest is reattached. Area reattached to end of long piece with knot holes.