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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographic / Rare Ordovician alien-looking fossil - Carpoid Echinoderm...
At first glance, this extraordinary fossil appears almost extraterrestrial. Its bizarre body plan, intricate armored calyx, and elongated appendage evoke the appearance of creatures imagined in classic science-fiction films. Remarkably, however, this organism is entirely real and evolved on Earth nearly 445 million years ago. The strange anatomy of Mitrocystites represents one of nature's most fascinating evolutionary experiments, giving this specimen an unmistakably alien appearance while remaining a completely authentic and naturally preserved relic of the Ordovician seas. This museum-quality carpoid displays an exceptionally preserved morphology, with a beautifully exposed and complete theca (calyx) showing an extraordinary arrangement of individual calcitic plates. The intricate plating pattern remains clearly visible across the entire body, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate the complex skeletal architecture of these enigmatic primitive echinoderms. Particularly striking is the elongated stele, preserved in full extension and displaying excellent definition along its entire length. The transition between the theca and the appendicular structures is clearly observable, highlighting the unusual body plan that makes mitrates among the most fascinating and scientifically important Paleozoic echinoderms. The specimen exhibits outstanding natural relief and superb preparation, revealing fine anatomical details rarely encountered on commercial examples. The calyx presents exceptional plate definition and natural three-dimensional preservation, while the overall articulation of the fossil provides a complete view of the organism's anatomy. Unlike many Moroccan carpoids that often show reconstructed areas, this specimen displays no visible restoration, with all observable structures appearing naturally preserved and exposed within the original matrix. The fossil is presented on a large and attractive 19,5 cm matrix, creating an impressive display piece with excellent visual balance. A rare collector's specimen combining scientific significance, aesthetic appeal, and exceptional preservation. Comparable examples are typically found only in advanced private collections and museum displays. Scientific classification Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Stylophora (Carpoidea) Genus: Mitrocystites Species: Mitrocystites sp. Age: Upper Ordovician (approx. 445 million years) Formation: Ktaoua Formation Locality: Morocco 19,5 x 13 cm plate. Museum-quality specimen with exceptional natural preservation and outstanding calyx detail.
Estimate:$728.29
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Estimate:
$728.29
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OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
