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Sale 35
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Lot 794
140 Million Year Old Bird Fossil From China. Some of the oldest bird fossils ever found come from Liaoing Province of Northeastern China. This small 4" primitive bird, Liaoxiornis delicatus, was alive in the late Jurassic 140-135 million years ago. Only Archaeopteryx from Germany is older at 150 million years old. This virtually complete bird is remarkable in the details of its preservation. Birds have light delicate bones that are rarely preserved. Due to an enormous volcanic eruption 140 million yeatrs ago, this bird was killed by the poisonous gases and quickly buried in the volcanic ash that slowly hardened over millions of years to form the very soft stone matrix that still surrounds the delicate bones.
The fossil is a dark brown color against a creme tuffaceous stone matrix. This remarkable specimen is complete except for two fingers in the hands and a couple of claws on the foot bones. The skull is one of the best known with a clear eye and even several small sharp teeth near the tip of the beak. Each hand has two sharp claws on them which defines their primitive status as compared to modern birds. Even the delicate wish bone is clear surrounding the tail vertebrae. This museum quality has been placed in a 5"x6" Ryker mount for protection. Add $20 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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| Realized $3,220 |
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