Sculpted Stone

This is an extremely rare spiny US trilobite. It is a fabulous Kootenia spencei from the Spence Shale of Utah. This unique trilobite was split out in two pieces, with the occipital and axial spines still in the counterpart. The top rock was then secured together with the bottom rock that contained the trilobite, making the trilobite essentially whole again, but still fully encased in rock. The bug was then microscopically extracted down through the entire top rock to expose the trilobite, spines and all! These long back spines are fully intact and project far above the body of the trilobite! Only a handful of Kootenia spencei have ever been found, and this is one of a select few ever prepared with the axial spines intact and beautifully displayed. And the fact that the bug is from the Spence Formation makes this piece that much more incredible. This is a beautifully prepared example of a complete Kootenia spencei that is about as breathtaking as it could possibly be.

A Certificate of Authenticity from EXTINCTIONS is included with this specimen.