43" Fossil Fish Wall Mounted Slab/Mural - Wyoming

This is a spectacular fossil fish "mural" from the Green River Formation of Wyoming. It measures 43x28.5" and there are five very detailed fossil fish on the slab of rock. The largest fish is 20" long and is a rare Notogoneus, there is also a monster 16" Mioplosus, two elegant Cockerellites and a large Knightia. All of the fish except the Notogoneus have been inlaid into the slab for display purposes, but otherwise there is no restoration or painting to the fish. The rock has been backed with wood and wall mounting hardware installed.

Because of the size of the plate it must be shipped via freight. Freight shipping costs within the continental US are included in the price. Shipping outside of the continental US is extra and will be billed after purchase. Please contact us if you need a shipping quote.

Fossil fish from the 18 inch layer split out "ghosted" underneath the surface of the rock. Typically only bumps from the back bone can be seen in faint relief against the surface of the rock. Because of this they typically collect this layer at night using high powered lighting which allow them to better see the shadows from these bumps on the rock. These fish must then be prepared removing all of the matrix from on top of them, a very meticulous and time consuming process.

The lake itself is known as "Fossil Lake" and it existed 50 million years ago in what is now Wyoming and is believed to have covered approximately 930 square miles. It had an unusual chemistry that inhibited the decay and scavenging of dead organisms while think layers of limestone and organic matter accumulated. This special set of circumstances has lead to the beautiful preservation of fish and other fossils within the Green River Formation.