Rare Ancient Opalized Fossil of Ammonite
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AUCTION DESCRIPTION
At the heart of the Australian Opal Centre is a magnificent collection of 110-million-year-old fossils, from a period of time called the Early Cretaceous. It was a time when dinosaurs and other ancient creatures lived inthe place we now know as Lightning Ridge, and when great marine reptiles swam in a shallow sea over much of inland Australia, where the opal mining towns of White Cliffs, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie and Lambina now lie.
These areno ordinary fossils (if there is such a thing): these incredible relics aremade of solid opal, sometimes with rainbows of shimmering colour. Australia is the only place on Earth where opalised animal fossils are found. These fossils are of global scientific interest and are among the most beautiful and valuablein the world. How do opalised fossils form?
Opal forms in cavities within rocks. If a cavity has formed because a bone, shell or pinecone was buried in the sand or clay that later became the rock, and conditions are right for opal formation, then the opal forms a fossil replica of the original object that was buried. We get opalised fossils of two kinds:
i. Internal details not preserved: Opal starts as a solution of silica in water. If the silica solution fills an empty space left by a shell, bone etc that has rotted away - like jelly poured into amould - it may harden to form an opalised cast of the original object. Most opalised shell fossils are 'jelly mould' fossils - the outside shape is beautifully preserved, but the opal inside doesn't record any of the creature'sinternal structure.
ii. Internal details preserved: If the buried organic material hasn't rotted away and a silica solution soaks into it, when the silica hardens it may form an opal replica of the internal structure of the object. This happens sometimes with wood or bone.
Size: 2" x 2" x .8" Inches
Condition: Good
