Mr.B.Bug's TRILOBITE WORLD





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Fake
Dicranurus monstrosus


This is a perfect example of a fake trilobite which was made in a mold.The numerous little holes you see on the matrix and the "trilobite" were caused by air bubbles that burst as the material used to make this was setting before it hardened.

For a demonstration on how these fake trilobites are made
please visit
SaharaOverland and click onto the "Faking It" link.

For more excellent information on fake trilobites,please visit Paleo Direct

Genuine Dicranurus monstrosus

Compare this photo with the one above and you can see the obvious differences.

Morocco

Foum Zguid,Morocco

Courtesy of Google Earth

Morocco is known for it's exotic and unusual trilobites.New species are always being found which simply amaze and astound scientists in their diversity.However,care should be taken when purchasing Moroccan trilobites,as a large number of them will have a lot of restoration work done on them,due to careless collecting of these specimens. Moroccan trilobites that have been faked,or repaired,or restored will have some sort of black coloring applied to them to hide the areas in question.This coloring is usually black shoe polish,paint,coal dust,or some other form of artificial coloring.Many times,certain parts will be fabricated,and often,entire specimens will be totally fabricated.One popular fabrication is the composite,where a number of different species will all be attached to the same matrix.Most of the time, the main specimen will be naturally part of the matrix and a number of other specimens added.These composites can be quite attractive,so it is a good idea to check these pieces out carefully.There are times where you will find a piece with two different species of trilobites occuring naturally on the matrix,but usually,when you see three or more different species on the same matrix,it's most likely a composite,and the seller should state this fact clearly.Some ways to tell if a specimen is genuine or not are:
1.Examine the piece closely in good light and under strong magnification.Resins will exhibit tiny air bubbles as a result of being poured.
2.Examine the piece under ultra-violet light..If resins are present,they will usually glow and the genuine areas will not.
3.Test the piece by sticking it with a hot needle.Any resins present will have a definite scent.
4.Check for details.Fakes will lack definition and may appear glossy.Eyes may just be bumps with no details.
5.Know the physical characteristics of the trilobite (such as the number of thorasic segments,etc.) Sometimes two or more specimens will be attached together to make one.

The photo below shows a trilobite that has been artificially colored black
(As you can see,this trilobite appears to be a very nice looking specimen
that doesn't appear to have any repairs or restoration done to it)

In this next photo,the trilobite has been placed in an ultra-sonic cleaner.
(Notice how the black coloration has disappeared,and we can now see the natural color of the specimen.)

In the next 2 photos,the trilobite has been placed under an ultra-violet light.
(The parts that are glowing purple have had some sort of artificial substance,
such as glue or putty,or some other material applied to them
that has been used to cover up, or enhance the previously unseen restored or repaired areas)


Composite


Which of the following are real trilobites,
and which ones are fake?
Can you tell?









*NOTE:The above photo (on the right) is of a Burmeisteria armatus." 'Elvis', as this huge spiny homalonotid was dubbed, is from the Mad'er region, SE Morocco. Elvis trilobites are always composites and highly reconstructed. No known complete originals are known as yet. This specimen resides in the University of Alberta collections. It is also a composite, made from a cephalon, pygidium, and isolated thoracic segments"
Photo and description courtesy of "Kevin's Trilobite Gallery"







"Trilobites had the ability to "enroll"? (curl up in a small ball). They did this as a measure of protection against predators,or whenever they felt threatened.Enrolling would cover up the soft body parts,and leave only the hard outer shell and/or spines exposed.


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