Deanaspis goldfussi Czech Trilobite

Description: A perfectly preserved and nicely inflated individual. The surrounding matrix is covered with some kind of a sparkling mineral background. A beautiful representative of the Trinucleidae. Luckily for me, one of my Czech suppliers is also a scholar and writer who is currently researching the Barrandian trilobite fauna. He sent me the hard to find 1990 book by Milan Snajdr "Bohemian Trilobites". This book provides a wonderful background on the collecting history, paleontology, and, presents photographs of many of the species. There are more that 1300 described species of Barrandian trilobites. An amazing statistic when you consider the area collected is only a few hundred square miles. Bohemia is the historical name given to the area of central Czech Republic where these species are found. Barrandian trilobites refer to the trilobite fauna found here. The term comes from the seminal work done by the J. Barrnade (1799-1883) who spent over half his life describing these trilobites and helping establish the science of paleontology. He himself described over 300 species. Bohemian trilobites are found in the Middle, and Upper Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian Periods. They have been studied and collected since the mid 1700's. Their quality of preservation, variety and scientific importance have made them most collectable ever since.