Scyphocrinites elegans Crinoid Fossil Mortality

Description: This is an example of an exceptionally well-preserved example of a distinctive Camerate crinoid type multi-specimen mortality plate. Scyphocrinites have been found in Asia, North America, Europe, and Africa. Instead of being rooted to the ground like most crinoids, Scyphocrinites had a lobolith, which is a floating sphere that keeps an animal afloat in water. Unlike other crinoids, Scyphocrinites hung upside down at the surface.

All of the specimens are impeccably preserved, showing fine detail of the stalk, aboral cup, arms and pinnules. The pink matrix contrasts aesthetically with the muted whites and tans of the crinoids. The specimens are lifelike, 3D and inflated. They rest comfortably in an elegant, poetic, metaphoric dance of death. The crinoid arms though still, seem to be almost perceptibly moving in the currents of timelessness. It would make a splendid decorative example of nature’s art, or, fantastic collection centerpiece. The plate will be shipped with the sturdy metal stand shown in the photos.

While researching Scyphocrinites, I came upon some very interesting information regarding their quarrying. At one location on a flat, dusty, parched plain, a large whole is burrowed by hand straight down about 16 feet. At the crinoid horizon level another tunnel is dug parallel to the crinoid zone. The earth and over burden are laboriously hauled to the surface by basket. The crinoid plates are then generally broken up into pieces and hauled up to the surface.