**Originally Listed At $250**

Ancient Seas, Morocco, Devonian Period, ca. 419.2 to 358.9 million years ago. This is an amazing stone matrix that has been prepared to show off the fossilized shells from Orthoceras, a prehistoric cephalopod! The elongated, horn-like shells once protected the soft flesh and tentacles of the Orthoceras, and the shells here are from deceased creatures that fell to the ocean floor where they were covered with sediment and fossilized. The shell fragments here are given a high polish to better view the fossils in their surrounding matrix, and there are several fragments in each protruding pillar - note the segmented chambers that the shells possess. The jet-black of the polished stone contrasts beautifully with the white fossils and quartzite inclusions, making for a magnificent display piece! Size: 3.25" L x 2.25" W x 8.5" H (8.3 cm x 5.7 cm x 21.6 cm)

Prehistoric 'straight' cephalopods include straight ammonoids called orthoceras. Cephalopod evolution began during the Late Cambrian Period. Some of these creatures evolved into semi-coiled forms, eventually giving rise to coiled cephalopods like ammonites and nautili. Straight cephalopods were among the most advanced invertebrates of their time, with eyes, jaws, and a sophisticated nervous system. These creatures were predators that swam freely using a jet propulsion system by squirting water from their bodies. They had tentacles and ink sacs, much like present-day squid. Except for belemnites, cephalopods had external shells with hollow internal chambers separated by walls called septa. A tube called the siphuncle connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or drop in the ocean. Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal!

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#164091

Professionally prepared and polished. Minor nicks to the polished tips. Felt pads added to base for stability. Intact and very good.