Underwater Lilies

These barrel-shaped pieces are fragmented crinoid stems. This type of crinoid was a underwater lily-like creature which fed on the organic matter suspended in the water. Unfortunately, only stems were preserved at this outcrop, other elements were not found.

South Coast, NSW, Australia.

I read on Twitterthat the creators of the Matrix movie would have been inspired by crinoid fossils dating back more than 300 million years to create the “Sentinels”.  

I haven’t found any other reliable source to confirm this information. But it’s true that every time I share these fossils, everyone makes the connection with the famous sentinels of the movie.

And you, what do you think?

A spectacular, 10.5" plate of twelve detailed fossil crinoids and a gastropod of the species Platyceras acutirostre (#93), collected from Crawfordsville, Indiana. These fossils have been microscopically prepared using air abrasives, revealing their intricate details and three dimensional preservation. 

It is believed that crinoids from the Ramp Creek Limestone were buried in sediment from nearby deltas during storms. The resulting siltstone deposits are soft enough that fossils can be extracted in exquisite, three-dimensional relief.

Source: https://www.fossilera.com/fossils/10-5-fossil-crinoid-plate-six-species-crawfordsville-indiana

fossilera:

13.8" Platycrinites Crinoid Plate - Crawfordsville, Indiana

This is a really spectacular plate of three very 3D Platycrinites crinoids from the famous crinoid beds near Crawfordsville, Indiana. The entire piece of limestone measures 13.8 x 6.3" . There are three fantastically preserved crowns present, one with a long section of stem still attached. This piece was collected this past summer and prepared under microscope using air abrasives.

It is believed that crinoids from the Ramp Creek Limestone were buried in sediment from nearby deltas during storms. The resulting siltstone deposits are soft enough that fossils can be extracted in exquisite, three-dimensional relief.

Crinoids, sometimes commonly referred to as sea lilies, are animals, not plants. They are echinoderms related to starfish, sea urchins, and brittle stars. Many crinoid traits are like other members of their phylum. Such traits include tube feet, radial symmetry, a water vascular system, and appendages in multiples of five (pentameral). They first appeared in the Ordovician (488 million years ago) and some species are still alive today.

Source: https://www.fossilera.com/fossils/13-8-platycrinites-crinoid-plate-crawfordsville-indiana

fossilera:

We just added quite a few, very detailed, crinoid fossils from Crawfordsville, Indiana.  Crawfordsville, Indiana is world renown for producing some of the most spectacular crinoid fossils in the world. There are more than 60 different species known from the Lower Mississippian (~340 million year old) Edwardsville Formation. These crinoids when properly prepared are preserved in beautiful, three dimensional relief against the surrounding matrix.

View Crawfordsville Crinoids For Sale

From this angle, it seems as if these red tube sponges are topped with seasonal greenery. Closer examination reveals it’s actually a black crinoid, growing from the reef just above, and silhouetted by morning light filtering down. (Photograph: Walt Stearns)

Because everyone loves DINOSAURS. .