Fossil Bat. Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon. Eocene . Messel Pit. Darmstadt, Germany. ... (Total: 2 Items)

Description

Fossil Bat
Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon
Eocene
Messel Pit
Darmstadt, Germany

An extremely unusual and relatively rare fossil, this bat of the Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon variety is out of the renowned Messel Pit Lagerstätte in Damstadt, Germany. This represents an extinct genus, which is one of the oldest known bats. Small, with short, broad wings, these prehistoric bats used an echolocation system much like modern varieties. Dating to the Eocene Epoch some 45 million years ago. Messel is the richest site for Eocene material, and the famed locality is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fragile nature of the shale requires that fossils be collected and preserved in resin. Common and understood for material from the acclaimed site, this fossil exhibits a unique form of secondary preservation. This has been incorporated into a tile of golden-yellowish resin with lots of brownish inclusions. The fossil itself is brown, featuring outstanding skeletal detail, with an underlying amazing soft tissue preservation in black, which is one of the important characteristics of the material from Messel. The head and bones in relief from the artificial brick of this winged mammal are superlative, and this creature measures approximately 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) in length. The digits and unique membranes are closed in the positioning of this example and result in this bat looking as though it were hanging rather than in flight. An added bonus of this rare specimen is that it comes with a postage stamp out of Germany featuring a similar bat from the locality. Dated 1978 and worth 80 German Pfenning, this offering labeled "Fossilien Deutsche Bundespost" with its iconic image is in pristine condition and is presented in an acrylic block holder with magnetic posts. This two-for-one offering is truly spectacular.
Overall Measurements: 5.31 x 4.72 x 0.33 inches (13.50 x 12.00 x 0.84 cm)

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