3.55" Eocene Fossil Crab (Meandercampus) - Washington State

This is an example of the Late Eocene aged fossil crab Meandercampus starri. These crabs are found within hard concretions (a mass of rock that forms around organic manner) that erode out of the Lincoln Creek Formation, which must be broken open to find the crab. The crab must then be prepared from the hard concretion using mechanical tools, a very time consuming process.

There are a couple repaired cracks through the fossil. Glue stabilization can be found along the base of the carapace and along areas where the nodule split through the crab's arms. It is accompanied by an acrylic display stand.

Below is an example of a Pulalius vulgaris crab in its concretion after having been broken open with a sledge hammer, prior to preparation.