Huge, 8.3" Fossil Shrimp (Antrimpos) with Floating Crinoids - Germany

Huge, Fossil Shrimp (Antrimpos) with Floating Crinoids - Germany #167797

This is a nicely preserved, 8.3" long (including antennae) fossil shrimp (Antrimpos sp.) from the 155 million year old Solnhofen Limestone of Germany. There are also five floating crinoids on this slab of limestone, though only 3 of them are in good condition/complete. There is a repaired crack through the rock that runs through the body of this shrimp. There is some gap fill and touchup restoration along this break.

The back side of this rock has been coated in fiberglass. Upon request we can install a backing and french cleat style wall hanger at no additional charge. Otherwise this specimen will be accompanied by a metal/acrylic (gibson) 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.

About Crinoids