Lot 1181
140 Million Year Old Bird Fossil From China. Some of the oldest bird fossils ever found come from Liaoning Province of northeastern China. This small, 5¼" primitive bird, Liaoxiornis delicatus, was alive in the late Jurassic period, 140-135 million years ago. Only Archaeopteryx from Germany is older at 150 million years old. Birds have light delicate bones that are rarely preserved and this nearly complete bird is remarkable in the details of its preservation. Due to an enormous volcanic eruption 140 million years ago, this bird was killed by the poisonous gases and quickly buried in the volcanic ash that slowly hardened over millions of years to form the very soft stone matrix that still surrounds the delicate bones.
The fossil is a dark brown color against a crème tuffaceous stone matrix. This remarkable specimen is complete except for the two hands and a couple of claws on the foot bones, which are present but slightly disarticulated. The skull is excellent with even a couple of its very small teeth visible near the tip of the beak. There are even traces of the feathers around the head, one of the wings, and at the end of the body. The outline of the feathers is visible as a light, carbonized impression running the length of the body. This important fossil bird is nicely centered on a 7x5" stone matrix, which has been repaired down the middle but does not affect the bird. All fossil Chinese birds are in great demand as there will not be any more coming out of China. Add $20 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,800.
|
| |
| Realized $1,553 |
