Sculpted Stone

This is an extremely rare echinoderm fossil. It is an incredible multiple plate of Helicoplacoids from the Lower Cambrian of California. This amazing specimen was found in 1963(!), and was recently acquired from the original collector. Helicoplacus is the EARLIEST unequivocally identifiable echinoderm. Helicoplacus is not radially symmetric and has three fold symmetry, instead of the typical five fold symmetry of most echinoderms. This plate displays probably dozens of specimens, preserved here as tubular molds. The detail is quite nice, the structure is easily seen under magnification. And, as can be seen in the photo, the FOOT-LONG rock is just covered with them! This is an extremely collectible, one-of-a-kind multiple plate of Helicoplacus, one of the most important and unusual Lower Cambrian echinoderms in the world.

A Certificate of Authenticity from EXTINCTIONS is included with this specimen.