Bundenbach Loriolaster mirablilis
11 cm (fossil), 16×11 cm (matrix)
Bundenbach, Eschenbach quarry
The “Wonderful” brittle star from the Hunsrück slate
A masterpiece of evolution from one of the most important fossil deposits in the world.
Immerse yourself in the world of the Lower Devonian around 400 million years ago. The Bundenbach site in the Hunsrück region is legendary among paleontologists worldwide. What makes this site so unique is the spectacular soft-particle preservation: sea creatures were suddenly buried by catastrophic mudflows and replaced by the mineral pyrite (“fool’s gold”) in the absence of air. The result is fossils of a depth of detail that is normally lost forever.
Why the Loriolaster mirabilis is so special:
- The name says it all: the species name mirabilis means “the wonderful” or “the admirable”. And rightly so! With a wingspan of up to 20 cm, it is one of the most impressive and aesthetic brittle stars in the history of the earth.
- The elegant “webbed skin”: The outstanding feature of this fossil is the delicate covering skin that stretches almost to the tips of the arms. This structure is so delicate that it only remains visible due to the extremely rare preservation conditions in Bundenbach – a miracle of nature that requires the utmost mastery during preparation.
- Anatomical features: The loriolaster impresses with its strong oral skeleton and the specialized spines that were embedded in the skin to support it. A fascinating insight into the biomechanics of an animal that glided across the seabed millions of years ago.
A highlight for every Bundenbach fossil collection
Due to its impressive size and elegant shape, slabs with a well-preserved loriolaster are rare and sought-after showpieces. Anyone who owns such a piece is not just holding a fossil in their hands, but a genuine work of art from the history of the earth.
