Triarthrus
eatoni
Trilobites
Order
Ptychopariida, Family Olenidae
Geological
Time: Late Ordovician
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Trilobite is 20 mm long with 8 mm antennae on an 80 mm
by 80 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Lorraine Shale, Lewis County, New York
Code: PYT110
Price: Sold
Description:
With only about a half dozen localities known, trilobites with
soft tissue preservation are rare. A well-known site in the United
States is Beecher’s Trilobite bed where examples of Triarthrus,
Cryptolithus, and Cornuproetus are known. In 2005 a new location
in Lewis County was discovered which will take its place in this
select group as a site containing Triarthrus eatoni with preserved
appendages. These trilobites were buried rapidly, resulting in
an anxonic environment which allowed for infilling with fine-grained
pyritic deposits that preserved the details seen here. The rich
gold color is a striking contrast to the deep black matrix, making
for a dramatic specimen available in very limited quantities.
This fine example is preserved in lateral mode. The darkened
photo was taken with the sample immersed in toluene to heighten
contrast. Such a specimen takes hours to prepare as a very fine
grit must be used to preserve the delicate details as seen here.
I am sure you will agree that the effort is well worth it. When
you consider that some 98% of all specimens found fall in the
8 mm to 10 mm range this example is most uncommon. This is one
of three I was able to obtain at this year’s Tucson fossil
show. All three are unique examples of the exquisite preservation
for which this site has become world famous. While all are impressive
in their own right, this one had been in the personal collection
of the quarry owner as he deemed it the best specimen he had
found to date. It is a showy piece which has been cut with a
flattened
base to allow it to self-display in all its glory.
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