Very Rare, Fossil Coelacanth (Macropomoides) - Lebanon

This is an extremely rare, fossil Coelacanth (Macropomoides orientalis) from the Upper Cretaceous, marine deposits near Byblos, Lebanon. The finely detailed specimen is 4.6" long and also includes the negative impression of the fossil. There are several repairs in the rock but no restoration of the fossil.

Comes with a display stand.

The discovery of amazingly preserved marine fossils near Hjoula, Lebanon dates back many centuries. In fact, they were first mentioned in writing by Herodotus, over 450 years before the birth of Christ. The first scientific work on these localities began in the 1800s: these deposits have been meticulously quarried by several Lebanese families for over a century. We purchase our specimens directly from one of these families.

These deposits represent a warm, shallow sea of the Middle Cretaceous, and have yielded over 70 types of fish and numerous other genera found nowhere else in the world. The preservation on many of these specimens is truly amazing: many examples of soft bodied preservation have been found.

A photo of one of the quarries at Hjoula, Lebanon
A photo of one of the quarries at Hjoula, Lebanon
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Macropomoides orientalis
LOCATION
Hjoula, Byblos, Lebanon
FORMATION
Sannine Formation
SIZE
4.6" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#163545
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.