Fossil Fish

Fossil fish occur in great abundance within the beds of what was once fossil lake Uinta, now part of the Green River Shale formatin of Western Wyoming.  Some time during the Eocene Epoch of geologic time (50,000,000 years ago) volcanic or climatic changes probably occurred, which disrupted the lake’s ecology and generated massive fish mortality.  Several species can be found, among them Knightia alta, K. eocaena, and Diplomystus analis.

Now you can take home a piece of incredibly distant history, the last remaining traces of this extinction, the fossils that these ancient species left behind.  Each fossil is embedded in a plate of sedimentary rock, so that the fossil clearly stands out, facilitating close inspection and examination.  Pass one around the classroom and have students study the markings, touch the fossil itself, and maybe have them draw a picture of what they think the original creature looked like.  Also makes a unique present for fossil enthusiasts.

Features:

• Perfectly preserved fish fossil from Wyoming
• Fossil the result of extreme climatic change 50 million years ago
• Excellent classroom teaching tool
• Approx. size: 3" x 3" x 0.25"