Huge Drotops Trilobite Pair - Issoumour, Morocco

This is a interesting pair of large, Drotops megalomanicus from Issoumour, Morocco. They were found naturally almost appearing to be crawling over each other. The bottom one is mostly enrolled, and the larger one with it's head tucked would be 5+" long if outstretched. They both have excellent eye facet preservation and shell detail. Very minimal shell restoration along repaired cracks, 2-3% on the top trilobite <1% on the lower one. The hard limestone has been nicely sculpted to create an aesthetic, free-standing presentation.

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
Issoumour, Morocco
FORMATION
Bou Dib Formation
SIZE
Both about 5+" if outstretched
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#68665
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