The oldest most complete horse fossil in existence discovered in Wyoming
Lately, a highly rare horse fossil was found in the Green River Formation of Wyoming while fossil pros were looking for fish fossils. This Protorohippus venticolum is considered by experts in the field to be the earliest species of horse, at the base of the evolutionary tree for this group of animals. This rare horse fossil is at present for sale for $2.25 million.
Protorohippus venticolum is thought to be the earliest species of horse that lived in the wooded areas of the Northerly Hemisphere in areas including North America, Europe, and Far East. Scientists have managed to decide that the little horse stood 12" at the shoulder and had four hooved toes on its front feet and 3 hooved toes on its hind feet. The fossil has earned the nick name "Dawn" and was determined to be 52 million years of age from the Eocene period.
What makes this fossil so striking, and worth so much money, is the undeniable fact that it's the most complete fossil of Protorohippus venticolum ever found. Not only is "Dawn" the most complete Protorhippus ever found, estimated by its finder to be 95 to 97 p.c complete. Particularly, there is a missing piece of its tail that would doubtless be hidden under the limestone fossil. This fossil includes a certificate of validity, and is confirmed by the pros. Lance Grande, Senior VP, Field Museum of Chicago expert vertebrate archaeologist, personally verified this fossil, which was expertly prepared by one of the premier preparatory in the United States.
This proto-horse fossil was discovered by a 3rd generation fossil quarry master. It was found in the Green Stream Formation (which is opposite to Fossil Butte National Monument), and is therefore a rare nationwide treasure from this area of Wyoming. The fossil was found in 2008, and uncovered from the 4 inch Snail Layer, embedded in a 400 foot bluff. The fossil plate measures 30 inches by 28 inches and is 4 inches in thickness.
Thanks to fossils like this, paleontologists have managed to piece together the evolutionary history of the horse more closely than any other animal group. While modern horses did not arrive in North America till their introduction by Spaniards in the late 1400's, traditional horse ancestors were present on the continent for millions of years before. Protorohippus venticolum is believed to be the first animal that may really be considered a horse, and while now extinct, prospered in North America (as well as Pacific Rim and Europe) about 50 million years back, in the Eocene age of our planet's history. Protorohippus venticolum is more colloquially known as Eohippus, or the Dawn Horse, in acknowledgment of its ancient beginnings.
This little pony 'Dawn ' has been widely studied, and the discovery of such a total fossil adds a big amount of information to the history of the horse, and to the fossil record generally. As we continue to learn more about the ancient times of our planet, more clarification will be reached about the evolutionary lineage of not just the horse, but all animal life on our world.
Lately, a highly rare horse fossil was found in the Green River Formation of Wyoming while fossil pros were looking for fish fossils. This Protorohippus venticolum is considered by experts in the field to be the earliest species of horse, at the base of the evolutionary tree for this group of animals. This rare horse fossil is at present for sale for $2.25 million.
Protorohippus venticolum is thought to be the earliest species of horse that lived in the wooded areas of the Northerly Hemisphere in areas including North America, Europe, and Far East. Scientists have managed to decide that the little horse stood 12" at the shoulder and had four hooved toes on its front feet and 3 hooved toes on its hind feet. The fossil has earned the nick name "Dawn" and was determined to be 52 million years of age from the Eocene period.
What makes this fossil so striking, and worth so much money, is the undeniable fact that it's the most complete fossil of Protorohippus venticolum ever found. Not only is "Dawn" the most complete Protorhippus ever found, estimated by its finder to be 95 to 97 p.c complete. Particularly, there is a missing piece of its tail that would doubtless be hidden under the limestone fossil. This fossil includes a certificate of validity, and is confirmed by the pros. Lance Grande, Senior VP, Field Museum of Chicago expert vertebrate archaeologist, personally verified this fossil, which was expertly prepared by one of the premier preparatory in the United States.
This proto-horse fossil was discovered by a 3rd generation fossil quarry master. It was found in the Green Stream Formation (which is opposite to Fossil Butte National Monument), and is therefore a rare nationwide treasure from this area of Wyoming. The fossil was found in 2008, and uncovered from the 4 inch Snail Layer, embedded in a 400 foot bluff. The fossil plate measures 30 inches by 28 inches and is 4 inches in thickness.
Thanks to fossils like this, paleontologists have managed to piece together the evolutionary history of the horse more closely than any other animal group. While modern horses did not arrive in North America till their introduction by Spaniards in the late 1400's, traditional horse ancestors were present on the continent for millions of years before. Protorohippus venticolum is believed to be the first animal that may really be considered a horse, and while now extinct, prospered in North America (as well as Pacific Rim and Europe) about 50 million years back, in the Eocene age of our planet's history. Protorohippus venticolum is more colloquially known as Eohippus, or the Dawn Horse, in acknowledgment of its ancient beginnings.
This little pony 'Dawn ' has been widely studied, and the discovery of such a total fossil adds a big amount of information to the history of the horse, and to the fossil record generally. As we continue to learn more about the ancient times of our planet, more clarification will be reached about the evolutionary lineage of not just the horse, but all animal life on our world.
About the Author:
This rare fossil is available through touchstone gallery of Arizona - a natural art gallery offering museum class fossils and minerals with locations in Sedona, Scottsdale, Sante Fe, and Taos.
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