25 Agatized Gastropod Fossil Bundle (Morocco)

Location found: Dahkla, Western Sahara, Morocco

Size: between 0.75"-1.3"

Age: Eocene-56 to 33.9 million years ago

species: Cerithiujm sp.

The term “agatized” is generally used to describe a fossil that has been replaced with chalcedony, a micro crystaline form of quartz This happens through a process known as permineralization in which mineral rich groundwater seeps in and replaces the organic tissues of the plant or animal with silica, forming a crystal cast. This is a fairly common type of fossilization, and nearly all petrified wood is formed in this manner.