2.3" Reedops Cephalotes Trilobite Fossil Morocco Devonian Age 400 Mil Yrs Old COA

Location: Lghaft, Morocco

Weight 8.4 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.4 Inches Tall, 2.9 Inches Wide, 1.8 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Trilobite Dimensions: 2.3 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 0.6 Inches Thick (Head To Tail)

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Reedops Cephalotes Trilobite

Trilobites are an extinct class of marine arthropods (Trilobita) and represent some of the earliest complex animals in Earth’s evolutionary history. They first appeared approximately 521 million years ago during the Early Cambrian period and flourished throughout the Paleozoic Era, inhabiting ancient oceans long before the emergence of dinosaurs. Because of their wide distribution and long geological range, trilobites are important indicators of early marine environments.

One of the most significant features of trilobites is their hardened exoskeleton, the earliest known skeletal structure in animals. This rigid outer shell greatly increased their chances of fossilization, resulting in the abundance and exceptional preservation of trilobite fossils found today. The exoskeleton is divided lengthwise into three distinct lobes—a central axial lobe and two pleural lobes—giving rise to the name trilobite, meaning “three-lobed.”

Anatomically, trilobites exhibit a highly organized body plan divided into three main regions. The cephalon (head) houses compound eyes, feeding structures, and sensory organs such as antennae. The thorax consists of a series of articulated segments, ranging from 2 to 61, allowing flexibility and movement. The pygidium (tail) forms the posterior section, where the segments are fused into a single structure.

Trilobite fossils are valued for their scientific importance and clarity of preservation, offering insight into Cambrian marine ecosystems, early arthropod evolution, and the biodiversity of the Paleozoic oceans. They remain among the most recognizable and studied fossils in the world.

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 Morocco do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures; however, commonly, natural cracks are visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.