Large 5.4" Drotops Trilobite - Issoumour, Morocco

This is a fine example of the large phacopid trilobite Drotops megalomanicus. It's 5.45" long and very 3D. There is a natural calcite seem that runs up the right side of the trilobite, before thinning out to a pencil thin line running across the head. These calcite seems are pretty common the layer these Drotops are quarried from, but often get painted over in lesser quality specimens.

The preparation on this specimen is very nice and all of the tubercles, bumps and eye facets can easily be seen. There is only a small amount of shell restoration on this specimen, a patch on the front of the head, a patch on the left cheek, and some flakes areas along the repaired crack running through the axis, maybe 2-3% total, but much less than is typically seen.

A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco showing the hard limestone layers being worked.
A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco showing the hard limestone layers being worked.


A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco.  The quarry following the horizon where this trilobites are found extends several kilometers around the mountain.
A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco. The quarry following the horizon where this trilobites are found extends several kilometers around the mountain.


How a Drotops might be found in the field, with part of the tail exposed in the broken rock.  It would then be prepared using airscribes and air abrasives a process that would likely take 20+ hours for a good specimen..
How a Drotops might be found in the field, with part of the tail exposed in the broken rock. It would then be prepared using airscribes and air abrasives a process that would likely take 20+ hours for a good specimen..


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Drotops megalomanicus
LOCATION
Issoumour, Morocco
FORMATION
Bou Dib Formation
SIZE
5.45" Long
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#13760
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.