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

Location: Morocco

Weight: 13.7 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.4 Inches Long, 3.4 Inches Wide, 1.5 Inches Thick (Matrix) 

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Trilobites were armored marine arthropods that thrived in prehistoric oceans long before dinosaurs appeared. Classified within the extinct group Trilobita, they are among the earliest well-documented animals in the fossil record.

The defining feature of trilobites is their three-lobed body design—one central axial ridge flanked by two pleural lobes. This structure is clearly visible in fossil specimens and gives the group its name. Their calcified exoskeleton not only protected them from predators but also allowed for remarkable fossilization.

Anatomically, trilobites had a cephalon with compound eyes, a segmented thorax providing flexibility, and a pygidium forming a protective rear shield. Some species could curl into a tight ball for defense, similar to modern pill bugs.

Because trilobites evolved rapidly and spread globally, their fossils are crucial for understanding early arthropod evolution, marine biodiversity, and Paleozoic geology. Today, trilobite specimens remain highly valued by scientists, educators, and fossil collectors alike.

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.