Fossil Palm Frond And Fish (Priscacara) - Wyoming

This is a natural palm frond fossil from the Green River Formation of Wyoming along with a 7.4" long fossil fish (Priscacara serrata) which has been inlaid into the rock. Many of the palm fossils from the Green River Formation are heavily "enhanced" (painted), but not this one. There is some minor restoration to a few of the spines and fins of the fish. The entire piece measures 17x13.6" and has been backed with wood with a french cleat wall hanger added.

50 million years ago, in the Eocene, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.

A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Priscacara serrata, Sabalites
LOCATION
Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Rock 17x13.6", Priscacara 7.4"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#78144
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