Spicomellus - Fossil skeleton
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Specimen Spicomellus afer from Morocco, dating to the Jurassic Giurassico (201–145 million years ago), in natural condition with original authenticity, measuring 14.5 cm in length and 22 cm in height including the pedestal.
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Description from the seller
Up for auction is an extraordinary paleontological find: a fossil dermal spine (osteoderma) attributed to Spicomellus afer, the oldest ankylosaur dinosaur ever discovered in the world.
This specimen presents an elongated, slender cone shape, perfectly preserved in its surface texture, showing the characteristic venation and bone porosity typical of the defensive structures of armored dinosaurs from the Jurassic. The fossil is elegantly displayed on a custom wooden base with a metal support, which emphasizes its verticality, making it a perfect and sophisticated piece of natural art for a collection (Wunderkammer).
Spicomellus is one of the most fascinating and debated paleontological discoveries of recent years. It represents the first definitive ankylosaur found on the African continent and the oldest overall worldwide. These dinosaurs were famous for their exceptional "punk" armor formed by prominent upright spines that not only served as defense against Jurassic predators, but likely also as a display element and sexual attraction. Owning a piece of this enigmatic "armored peacock" means holding in your hands a crucial fragment of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs.
Length of the specimen: 14.5 cm.
Height including pedestal: 22 cm.
Up for auction is an extraordinary paleontological find: a fossil dermal spine (osteoderma) attributed to Spicomellus afer, the oldest ankylosaur dinosaur ever discovered in the world.
This specimen presents an elongated, slender cone shape, perfectly preserved in its surface texture, showing the characteristic venation and bone porosity typical of the defensive structures of armored dinosaurs from the Jurassic. The fossil is elegantly displayed on a custom wooden base with a metal support, which emphasizes its verticality, making it a perfect and sophisticated piece of natural art for a collection (Wunderkammer).
Spicomellus is one of the most fascinating and debated paleontological discoveries of recent years. It represents the first definitive ankylosaur found on the African continent and the oldest overall worldwide. These dinosaurs were famous for their exceptional "punk" armor formed by prominent upright spines that not only served as defense against Jurassic predators, but likely also as a display element and sexual attraction. Owning a piece of this enigmatic "armored peacock" means holding in your hands a crucial fragment of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs.
Length of the specimen: 14.5 cm.
Height including pedestal: 22 cm.
Details
Specimen
Spicomellus
Country of origin
Morocco
Geological period
Jurassic (201.3 - 145 million years)
Condition
Natural
Authenticity
Original/official
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