Description
Here is your chance to own a classic fossil from a classic site.
Harder and Harder to obtain fossils from this private quarry in Middleport, New York
This is an outstanding Large Fenestella Bryozoan from the Rochester Shale. The Fenestella are colonies of animals that consist of stiff branches that are interconnected for a “window-like” appearance. In Latin fenestra means window. But when they die these creatures usually break apart into very small fragments. It is quite rare to find larger pieces such as this.
The Large Fenestella Bryozoan is 2 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inch sitting on an irregular matrix 4 by 5 1/2. There are also brachiopod impressions and 1 spirifer.
The Rochester Shale Formation is famous for the fossils found there. Because of the fine grained shale the preservation is great. It was formed during the Silurian Period when that part of New York State was a shallow salt water tropical sea and teeming with life. Because it was near the equator and prone to storms fossil formation was easy. The storms would stir up the ocean floor but also the storms moved on to land. This Large Fenestella Bryozoan was broken apart during such storms. The storms would pick up sand and mud which then washed into the shallow seas and lagoons covering the animal. Because the animals were buried they would die and begin to turn into fossils.
This is definitely a must have for Rochester Shale Lagerstatte collectors.
Fenestella
Silurian Period
Rochester Shale
Middleport Quarry, New York
