Description
Here is an amazingly well preserved Mazon Creek Fossil Mazon Shrimp. It is from the famous Lagerstatte of Central Illinois. There are several species of Shrimp found in the fossil record.
A Lagerstatte is a German word meaning storage place and we have used it to describe this area that is a “storehouse” of exceptionally preserved flora and fauna. The Carboniferous Period of Illinois was mostly a hot steamy jungle and swamps. The plants and animals were buried in sediment without much Oxygen and began to fossilize.
The Fossil Mazon Shrimp was found within and “Ironstone” nodule. These nodules when broken open display these exceptionally preserved fossils.
This Shrimp is beautifully displayed in this black collectors case. Because the fossil fauna and ironstone nodule are so brittle they are protected in this case. Often the “Freeze-thaw” method is used to break them open but the natural cycle of freeze thaw outside also works. They are soaked in water because that allows allows water to infiltrate the rock along the line of the fossil. But then freezing water expands and breaks it open along that line. If that doesn’t work after a while, a gentle whack with a hammer can help.
The central part of Illinois is famous for these nodules with fossils inside. Because of coal mining activity they were brought to the surface. They discarded the nodules because they had no useful purpose. It is in these nodules that Mazon Creek Shrimp may be found. But in many cases the fossils are not that easily recognized or detailed. This one has good detail. And additionally there is an information sheet attached and a picture of an outstanding shrimp.
This Fossil Mazon Shrimp is 1 1/8 inches long and comes in this handsome 14 1/4 by 8 inch glass topped leatherette collectors case. The nodule is 1 7/8 by 1 1/2.
