Giant Drotops Trilobite On Pedastal

This is an beautiful specimen of the trilobite Drotops megalomanicus sometimes incorrectly called a Phacops. It has been prepared so that it rests on a pedastal of matrix, which is free standing on it's base. The quality of preparation is better than most, and the only restoration is some very minor touchup of some air scribe dings and scratches from preparation. The black coloration with greenish hues is quite striking.

One of the most striking features of this trilobites is the large schizochroal (multi-faceted) eyes which would have given it a nearly 360 degree field of vision. It also has a very bumpy exoskeleton, in particularly on it's head.

A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco showing the hard limestone layers being worked.
A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco showing the hard limestone layers being worked.


A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco.  The quarry following the horizon where this trilobites are found extends several kilometers around the mountain.
A photo of the Drotops quarry at Issoumour, Morocco. The quarry following the horizon where this trilobites are found extends several kilometers around the mountain.


How a Drotops might be found in the field, with part of the tail exposed in the broken rock.  It would then be prepared using airscribes and air abrasives a process that would likely take 20+ hours for a good specimen..
How a Drotops might be found in the field, with part of the tail exposed in the broken rock. It would then be prepared using airscribes and air abrasives a process that would likely take 20+ hours for a good specimen..


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Drotops megalomanicus
LOCATION
Djebel Issoumour, Alnif , Morocco
FORMATION
Bou Dib Formation
SIZE
4 1/2" long
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#3473
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