Fish Fossil - Syngnathus sp. (Pipefish) Sphalerite These well preserved and larger-sized

These well preserved and larger-sized fossils originate from the Monterey Formation in California

where early very productive copper mines supplied much of the ancient world with the material

Their unique elongated and heavily armored bodies along with their tube-like snouts make pipefish

or the formation of equally thin layers of secondary minerals due to hydrothermal or other alteration

Barite is a mineral with an interesting history

Fish Fossil - Syngnathus sp. (Pipefish) Sphalerite These well preserved and larger-sizedPipefish are a widespread group of tropical marine and freshwater fish most closely related to the more well known seahorses. Their unique elongated and heavily armored bodies along with their tube like snouts make pipefish, both extinct and modern, almost unmistakable for any other species. These well preserved and larger sized fossils originate from the Monterey Formation in California, from the middle Miocene around 12 16 million years ago. Each