Leaf Betula brongniartii

This is a leaf of the birch ancestor Betula brongniartii. This species is now extinct.

The fossil comes from Mio-Pliocene sediments – the so-called "Fischbach Clays" – from the former Frechen open-cast 
lignite mine in the Rhenish mining area in Germany. The site no longer exists; the mine was renaturalized in 
2003 and is now used as agricultural land and a vineyard.

The leaf is very well preserved, measuring approximately 6.5 cm. The stone is unbroken, measuring approximately 
9 x 7 x 1 cm.

An honest piece – no tampering whatsoever.