Moroccan Trilobites

Morocco is blessed with a remarkable geologic history. Among many other treasures from the Earth, it has fossils preserved in hard limestone. Specifically, Devonian fossils of trilobites (and others, but here I’m only looking at trilobites). These fossils are mined by hand, then, also by hand, carved from the rock in which they are encased. Micro-sandblasters and dental drills are the tools of choice.  

When I think of trilobites, typically the flat imprints of those from the Burgess Shale come to mind. I’ve never seen trilobites in 3 dimensions, like this.

They are fantastic (in the true sense of the word).

If you’re interested in reading a little more about the $40million fossil trade in Morocco, here’s a useful article: 
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200902/morocco.s.trilobite.economy.htm

p.s. An interesting thing about trilobites is they built their eyes out of calcite. The crystal.