Fossil Cichlid, Middle Eocene, Mahenga, Tanzania Ref. MHG-11

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  • Regular price $250.00


Fossil Cichlid, Middle Eocene, Mahenga, Tanzania Ref. MHG-11 

These fossils  were found at Mahenga, in the Singida region of Tanzania and come from an old collection I purchased some 25 years ago. The deposits were first reported in the early 1930's by geologists prospecting for diamonds, but, possibly were already known about by a German exploration group who were in the area in the early 1900's.

The Mahenga site was a crater lake and dates to the Middle Eocene, making these fish the earliest known Cichlid fossils uncovered. These are also the most complete Cichlid fossils  known. None of these fossils are now allowed out of Tanzania.

The fossils and fossil imprints are very well preserved, even some scales are still evident in some of the specimens. Apart from been treated with Paraloid B72, no further work has been done on them.
This specimen shows two fish fossils.

Please note that I am not a qualified palaeontologist, but have a great interest in fossils.
Rock Dimensions: 135mm x 100mm
Fossil Dimensions: 62mm x 30mm
Weight: 428 grams
Price: $250.00