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Rarity: Gigantic Mass Mortality Plate with over 100 Gosiutichthys parvus
A Paleontological Masterpiece of Nature
Step back 50 million years in time. We are proud to present an extraordinary collector's item from the world-famous Green River Formation (Wyoming, USA): a massive natural matrix plate featuring around 100 perfectly preserved specimens of the rare genus Gosiutichthys parvus.
Why this piece is exceptional:
Due to the size and value of this piece, delivery is handled via specialized art freight or personal handover. Viewings at our showroom in Erlenbach am Main, Germany, are available by appointment.
2. Location & Geological Background
The Origin: The Forgotten Sea of Wyoming
This spectacular plate originates from one of the world's most significant fossil sites: the Green River Formation in the Western United States. However, unlike the more common finds from Fossil Lake, this masterpiece comes from the ancient Lake Gosiute.
Unique Geology: The Laney Shale Member
The fossil-bearing layer is known as the Laney Shale Member. Approximately 50 million years ago (during the Eocene), a vast, subtropical lake system stretched across this region. Lake Gosiute was a shallow, often alkaline body of water, shaped by dramatic climatic shifts.
How a "Mass Mortality Plate" is formed
The fact that over 100 fish are perfectly preserved on a single plate is no coincidence, but the result of a dramatic natural event:
Finds from the Laney Shale are highly prized by collectors, as many of the original dig sites are now located on protected government territory (BLM land), meaning very little new material enters the market. A piece of this size and density is not just a decorative object, but a solid investment and a unique window into a long-lost epoch of Earth's history.
The fish measure approximately between three and five centimeters. The plate is unbroken and has been reinforced on the back with a fiberglass mat, it measures roughly 41 x 33 x 0.7 cm.
We prepared the fish ourselves in our laboratory. No paint or enhancements were added – an honest specimen without any manipulations!
A Paleontological Masterpiece of Nature
Step back 50 million years in time. We are proud to present an extraordinary collector's item from the world-famous Green River Formation (Wyoming, USA): a massive natural matrix plate featuring around 100 perfectly preserved specimens of the rare genus Gosiutichthys parvus.
Why this piece is exceptional:
- True Rarity: While the genus Knightia is common, Gosiutichthys originates specifically from the ancient Lake Gosiute (Laney Shale Member). Finds of this density and quality are absolute rarities on the European market.
- The Dynamics of a Moment: This plate captures a spectacular "mortality event." The orientation of the fish allows you to visualize the ancient lake currents. A moment of Eocene history frozen in stone.
- Aesthetics & Preparation: Each individual skeleton has been meticulously exposed by hand. The natural matrix provides a stunning contrast to the detailed fossilized fish.
- Species: Gosiutichthys parvus
- Age: approx. 50 million years (Eocene)
- Location: Lake Gosiute, Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
- Quantity: About 100 individual fish on a single solid plate
- Condition: 100% original, no composite, professionally prepared.
Due to the size and value of this piece, delivery is handled via specialized art freight or personal handover. Viewings at our showroom in Erlenbach am Main, Germany, are available by appointment.
2. Location & Geological Background
The Origin: The Forgotten Sea of Wyoming
This spectacular plate originates from one of the world's most significant fossil sites: the Green River Formation in the Western United States. However, unlike the more common finds from Fossil Lake, this masterpiece comes from the ancient Lake Gosiute.
Unique Geology: The Laney Shale Member
The fossil-bearing layer is known as the Laney Shale Member. Approximately 50 million years ago (during the Eocene), a vast, subtropical lake system stretched across this region. Lake Gosiute was a shallow, often alkaline body of water, shaped by dramatic climatic shifts.
How a "Mass Mortality Plate" is formed
The fact that over 100 fish are perfectly preserved on a single plate is no coincidence, but the result of a dramatic natural event:
- Oxygen Depletion: Sudden algal blooms or seasonal turnovers of the lake water led to an abrupt loss of oxygen.
- Perfect Preservation: The schools of fish sank to the muddy bottom. Because the environment was anoxic (lacking oxygen) and free of scavengers, the delicate skeletons remained undisturbed.
- The Time Capsule: Over millions of years, the fine lime mud solidified into shale, preserving the fish in their natural schooling formation – as if they were fossilized only yesterday.
Finds from the Laney Shale are highly prized by collectors, as many of the original dig sites are now located on protected government territory (BLM land), meaning very little new material enters the market. A piece of this size and density is not just a decorative object, but a solid investment and a unique window into a long-lost epoch of Earth's history.
The fish measure approximately between three and five centimeters. The plate is unbroken and has been reinforced on the back with a fiberglass mat, it measures roughly 41 x 33 x 0.7 cm.
We prepared the fish ourselves in our laboratory. No paint or enhancements were added – an honest specimen without any manipulations!
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