1.6" Devonian, Iron Replaced Fossil Goniatite (Prionoceras) - Morocco

Devonian, Iron Replaced Fossil Goniatite (Prionoceras) - Morocco #189520

This is 1.6" wide fossil goniatite (Prionoceras sp.) from the Late Devonian (Middle Famennian) deposits in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It has been prepped free from the rock that it was found in. During fossilization the shell of the goniatite was replaced by an iron compound, likely hematite.

Goniatites possessed a shell divided internally into chambers filled with gas for buoyancy. An open chamber at the front of the shell provided living space for the animal. The general morphology and habit of goniatites was probably similar to that of their later relatives the ammonites: they swam freely and possessed heads with two well developed eyes and arms.

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