53MM Brittle Star Petraster Starfish Fossil Ordovician Age Blekus Morocco COA

Location: Kataoua Formation, Blekus, Morocco

Weight: 13.3 Ounces 

Starfish Dimensions: 53MM 

Dimension: 7.8 Inches Long, 3.5 Inches Wide, 0.8 Inches Thick (Plate)

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Brittlestar Petraster

This limestone slab, sourced from Middle to Upper Ordovician strata approximately 450 million years old in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas region, represents an ancient seafloor later uplifted into mountainous terrain about 80 million years ago. The preserved fossils include early echinoderms such as echinoids and ophiuroids (brittle stars), distinguished by their five flexible arms and central disc. Eocrinoids, likely the suspension-feeding Ascocystites, display elongated stems with clusters of feeding appendages. Although eocrinoids are distinct from crinoids, their long stems facilitated substrate attachment and elevation above the seafloor. Notably, the slab contains both large and smaller specimens, possibly juveniles or separate species, often found in proximity, suggesting potential ecological interactions like brittle stars preying on the smaller echinoids.

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. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.