An exceptional museum-quality mortality plate featuring sixteen remarkably preserved starfish (Geocoma carinata) from the world-famous Solnhofen Limestone deposits of Bavaria, Germany. Excavated without any breakage, these starfish specimens date to the Late Jurassic, a period when warm, shallow seas covered much of Europe. This remarkable fossil slab preserves a rare mass mortality event from the Jurassic seas of Solnhofen, Germany. Around 150 million years ago, a sudden storm or drop in oxygen swept through a shallow lagoon, instantly killing a colony of starfish. They settled gently onto fine lime mud, where lack of oxygen prevented decay or scavenging. Over time, layers of sediment sealed them in place, preserving every delicate detail in limestone. The result is this specimen, capturing the exact moment these soft bodies organisms fossilised together. A true snapshot of ancient ocean life, and the closest thing you can get to a 150 million year old photograph. Each Geocoma fossil displays exquisite five-armed symmetry, fine ossicle structure, and delicate arm articulation, showcasing the unparalleled fossilization that made the Solnhofen strata one of the most celebrated fossil beds on Earth. Specimen: Mortality plate with at least 16 starfish. Scientific name: Geocoma carinata Origin: Solnhofen Formation, Bavaria, Germany Provenance: Once part of an old European private collection. Geological Period: Jurassic, Upper (163.5 – 145 million years ago) Condition: Natural, no breaks, glue, cracks or reconstruction. Treatment: Stabilized and conserved for long-term preservation Dimensions: 26.5 cm (H) × 18 cm (W) × 1.7 cm (D) Weight: approximately 1kg Solnhofen fossils of this quality and completeness have continued to appreciate in value, prized by museums and collectors alike for their rarity, scientific importance, and aesthetic beauty. This many individual fossils on one plate is exceedingly rare. Shipped safely and insured worldwide from the United Kingdom. Any customs duties, import taxes or local handling/clearance fees that may arise are the responsibility of the buyer unless otherwise stated.