3.9" Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone

Fossil Dragonfly (Tharsophlebia?) - Solnhofen Limestone #206592

This is a beautiful, 3.9" wide fossil dragonfly (Tharsophlebia sp.?) from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of Germany. Complete fossil dragonflies are rare finds in this formation and there are several species present. This one is nicely detailed and presented on a 7.1 x 4.88", unbroken slab of limestone.

Upon request (suggested) we can add a backing and wall hanger at no additional cost. Otherwise this specimen is accompanied by an acrylic display stand.

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.

SPECIES

Tharsophlebia sp.?

AGE

Upper Jurassic (150 million years)