Description: The Late Jurassic- Early Cretaceous deposits of Liaoning Province, China are world-renowned for the exceptionally-preserved fossils of feathered dinosaurs, birds, and other examples of vertebrate and invertebrate life found. The fish seen here are members of the Family Lycopteridae. This fantastic aggregation has nearly 70 specimens, of which about 50 are complete. They are of the genus Lycoptera, and are thought to have been a schooling fish in their freshwater environment. This genus died out at the end of the Jurassic, leaving no descendants. The matrix is consolidated volcanic ash, and affords a clue how this assemblage came to be. In all likelihood, a volcanic eruption overcame this shoal of fish, quickly burying them in place. The depositional environment was such that they were undisturbed during the sedimentation/fossilization process, affording the fine piece seen here.

Central to the plaque is a 15 X 50 mm wood fragment. Typically, a single specimen will command upwards of $20. You have here an opportunity to secure a MASS DEATH ASSEMBLAGE for less than $4/fish! This rectangular plaque would easily make a fine wall display, and could be framed to add the finishing touch.