XL 2.4" Fossil Pine Cone Equicalastrobus Replaced By Agate Eocene Age Seeds Fruit
Location: Talsine, Morocco
Weight: 1 Ounce
Dimensions: 2.4 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Equicalastrobus petrified pine cones are fossilized remnants of ancient conifer seed cones originating from the Western Sahara of Morocco, notably in the regions surrounding Talsine and west of Boujdour. These fossils date to the Eocene epoch (33–55 million years ago), a period when this area supported vast, forested landscapes very different from the arid environment seen today.
These cones were preserved through permineralization, a process in which mineral-laden waters slowly replaced the original organic tissues with silica and agate. The result is a beautifully agatized fossil that retains fine structural details, including cone scales and internal growth patterns. Many specimens show marks of ancient insect activity, offering rare evidence of ecological interactions within prehistoric conifer forests.
The large number of Equicalastrobus cones recovered from this region suggests that Eocene Morocco was once covered by dense conifer-dominated vegetation. Although the exact tree species that produced these cones has not yet been identified, their role would have been similar to modern pine cones—protecting seeds, aiding in reproduction, and serving as a food source for animals living in the ancient ecosystem.
Equicalastrobus petrified pine cones are prized today for both their scientific importance and aesthetic appeal. Their natural mineralization, durability, and exceptional preservation make each specimen a distinctive display fossil, providing a tangible link to the ancient forests that once thrived across North Africa.
