2.4" Fossil Crocodilian (Cricosaurus) Vertebral Process - Solnhofen

Fossil Crocodilian (Cricosaurus) Vertebral Process - Solnhofen #219331

This is a nicely preserved, 2.4" long fossil crocodilian inferior vertebral process (hemapophysis bone) from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Formation in Germany. It is preserved in the soft stone it was fossilized in, partially exhumed. It belonged to the metriorhynchid marine crocodyliform genus Cricosaurus, however since multiple Cricosaurus species inhabited the Solnhofen habitat, it is difficult to distinguish from this single bone which of those species it belonged to.

The Solnhofen limestone is a famous Upper Jurassic lagerstätte in Germany. It is where one of the most famous fossils of all time, Archaeopteryx, was found. The fine-grained limestone makes excellent building material, which has led to heavy quarrying over the past two centuries. In the process, some spectacular fossils were unearthed, including fossil dragonflies, fish, pterosaurs, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, and many more.

This area represents an ancient archipelago at the edge of a sea. Due to high salt content, the lowest levels in the water column could not support much life and were largely devoid of oxygen. This lack of oxygen and scavengers on the bottom of the sea led to beautiful fossil preservation.