0.9" Elrathia Kingi Trilobite Fossil Utah Cambrian Age 521 Million Years Old COA
Location: Utah House Range - Antelope Springs, Millard County
Weight: 0.2 Ounces
Dimensions: 0.9 Inches Long, 0.7 Inches Wide, 0.2 Inches Thick
Comes with a free Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Elrathia Kingi Trilobite
Trilobites are an extinct group of marine arthropods classified under the class Trilobita and are among the earliest known complex life forms on Earth. Their first appearance in the fossil record marks the beginning of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period, around 521 million years ago. These ancient sea creatures thrived in prehistoric oceans and became key indicators of the Paleozoic Era before going extinct long before the age of the dinosaurs.
Trilobites were the first animals to develop a hard exoskeleton, which made them highly fossilizable. Their distinctive shells are divided into three longitudinal lobes—a central axial lobe flanked by two pleural lobes—giving them their name, “trilobite,” meaning “three-lobed.”
The trilobite body is organized into three major sections:
-
Cephalon (head) – including eyes, mouthparts, and sensory organs like antennae.
-
Thorax (middle) – composed of 2 to 61 articulated segments that allow flexibility and movement.
-
Pygidium (tail) – a fused segment at the rear end of the body.
Today, trilobite fossils are highly valued by collectors and paleontologists alike for studying Cambrian life, prehistoric arthropods, and the evolution of early complex organisms. Their well-preserved shells provide a remarkable window into the ancient oceans and ecosystems of the Paleozoic Era.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in the United States do a very professional job, unearthing and preserving these natural treasures
