2.3" Trilobite Mortality Plate Fossil Devonian Age 400 Million Years Old COA

Location: Morocco

Weight: 6.8 Ounces 

Dimensions: 2.3 Inches Long, 2.1 Inches Wide, 1.4 Inches Thick (Matrix) 

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Trilobites are among the most recognizable fossils in the world, symbolizing the dawn of complex animal life. As members of the class Trilobita, they dominated Paleozoic seas for hundreds of millions of years before their extinction at the end of the Permian period.

This specimen highlights the classic trilobite morphology: a broad cephalon with compound eyes, a segmented thorax allowing flexibility, and a fused pygidium forming a protective tail shield. The three longitudinal lobes—central and two lateral—give trilobites their distinctive name and unmistakable appearance.

The fine preservation of the exoskeleton captures intricate surface details, offering insight into early arthropod anatomy. Trilobites molted as they grew, and the durability of their mineralized shells contributed to their extraordinary fossil abundance.

How Was a Trilobite’s Body Structured?

The trilobite body was divided into three main anatomical regions:

• Cephalon (head): Included compound eyes, mouthparts, and sensory organs such as antennae

• Thorax: A flexible middle section composed of 2 to 61 articulated segments

• Pygidium (tail): A fused rear section forming a protective shield

Why Are Trilobite Fossils So Common?

Thanks to their durable exoskeletons, trilobites fossilized easily. As a result, they are one of the most abundant, diverse, and well-studied fossil groups in the world, prized by scientists, educators, and fossil collectors alike.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried under tons of pressure for millions of years makes fossils rough. No fossil emerges perfect; most are restored or altered to improve presentation. Moroccan workers are professional in unearthing and preserving treasures, though surface cracks are visible—part of their natural beauty, not defects.