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Sale 73
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Lot 622
Complete Dinosaur Feather, At 125-135 million years old this large 1.5 inch dinosaur feather is one of the oldest feathers known exceeded in age only by the 150 million year old Archaeopterix bird feather from Solnhofen. This long feather is symmetric which means that it is not a flight feather such as those found on birds. The center rachis is thin and highly flexible as the feather is gently curved to the left but the entire feather is still covered with many filaments with remarkable detail showing delicate veining of the individual barbs. Even though this fossil feather is dark brown, that is from the mineralization of the fossilization process. The actual color of the fossil was probably much different and remarkably can now be determined analyzing the shape of melanosomes (pigment cells) by electron microscope. Comparing similar shaped melanosaomes in modern birds and what colors they created, the color of the dinosaur feathers can be obtained.
Whites, blacks and reddish browns have been identified. This important feather was found in a fossilized volcanic lake bed in Liaoning in Northeastern China, the sight where many types of feathered dinosaurs have been discovered. Although it is impossible to distinguish between bird and dinosaur feathers, the only flightless animals found in Liaoning have been theropod dinosaurs so the probability is great that this feather is indeed a theropod (meat eating) dinosaur feather that was either on its head or neck as a display feather to attract a mate or from one of its arms. This valuable and rare dark brown dinosaur feather is centered on a 4 x 4 inch dark gray matrix and housed in a 8 x 6.5 inch Riker mount.
Add $15 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $550 - 750
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| Realized $552 |
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