Large Solnhofen Brittlestar Fossil

Description: A rarely seen member of the Ophiuroidea, or Brittlestars. While starfish are more sturdily-built, the Brittlestars are more delicate, with the arms branching off from the central disc in such a way as to make the arms quite mobile (some are also termed “Serpent Stars” due to their sinuous movements). These 150 million year old deposits are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved organisms, the most famous of which are the handful of specimens of the ancient bird Archaeopteryx. It is well-positioned on this llithographic limestone matrix, a suitable representative of this remarkable Lagerstätte that is sure to be a welcome addition to any collection of specimens from the region.