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Product Description
This ULTRA-RARE fossil spiny Asaphid trilobite is the first of its kind we have ever encountered in 33 years of working with fossils! For any collector who is building a world-class collection of RARE trilobites, this is a MUST HAVE specimen for their collection. Never before have we encountered an asaphid variant trilobite like this with spine-tipped pleural lobes in this manner. This is a new, undescribed species and a spectacular example with the finest preservation. This monster Asaphid trilobite possesses pointed spiny pleural spines but there are four longer than typical spines on each tip of its first and last segments. Photos above show this strange anatomy. In addition, you could not have asked for a better example of preservation or more impressive articulation as this rare oddity. The trilobite was found in a very large watermelon-size concretion. It was prepared with extraordinary care to reveal two perfectly preserved eyes, all original body portions and a heavily-calcified carapace that fossilized with a spiderweb pattern of healed fissures creating a surreal beauty to the original, intact shell of the trilobite. The beautiful color of the trilobite is natural, as well. In keeping with our tradition of bringing to you some of the most impressive and rare exhibition-grade specimens, this extraordinary investment in natural history must be really seen to appreciate. For some reason, the photos cannot convey the full inflation and three-dimensional condition of the specimen. The surface appears rougher than it is in reality. Whoever takes delivery of this once-in-a-lifetime find will be truly and positively surprised with its presence in person!
There are many Moroccan trilobites that have surfaced over the last couple of decades that have been unusual. Some have been authentic but many have been entirely fake creations of imagination or artificial modified examples of ordinary trilobites. Having prepared this prize specimen ourselves, we can attest to its originality and authenticity. The close-up images demonstrate this for those familiar with the difference in real versus artificial anatomy.
This trilobite is a scientifically undescribed species belonging to the Asaphidae family. Asaphid trilobites do not normally possess such anatomy.
The entire host rock concretion is 100% original with no additional parts added and only cracks repaired. To protect the integrity of the fragile rock and to stabilize exfoliating concretion layers which could break off when set on a stand, the back side of the rock has been sealed with a chemical consolidant. What you see front and back is 100% original host rock matrix found with the trilobite embedded within.
Without question, this is the most beautiful, most unusual and the most RARE of all the large trilobites we ever handled or saw in numerous years of experience concentrated in trilobites from the northern Sahara.
