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·Real Fossil
Apateon Branchiosaur | 6cm Specimen
- Real Fossil
- 280 million years
- Ships worldwide
£135.00
● In stock — dispatched within 3 working days (framed/customised piece)
This piece is hand-finished, so dispatch takes 1 additional working day.
An exquisite 280-million-year-old amphibian fossil from Odernheim, Germany. Housed in a museum-grade glass case for the discerning collector.
Specimen Record
DTF-6D80BDF5Exact specimen
The photographs show the exact item you will receive.
- Species
- Apateon pedestris
- Identification confidence
- Not recorded
- Age
- 280 million years
- Geological period
- Lower Permian
- Formation
- Meisenheim Formation (implied by Odernheim locality)
- Locality
- Odernheim, Germany
- Dimensions
- Not recorded
- Weight
- Not recorded
Condition & Treatment
- Repair
- Not recorded
- Restoration
- Not recorded
- Stabilisation
- Not recorded
- Polishing
- Not recorded
- Composite
- Not recorded
"Not recorded" means we hold no verified record for that detail — it is not a claim either way.
Curator Note
This is a heritage piece with exceptional provenance, hailing from a 1970s private collection. Its rarity in the UK market and the inclusion of the bespoke glass display case make it a significant acquisition for any serious palaeontology enthusiast.
At a Glance
Type
Genuine fossil
Display
Supplied in a 21cm glass display case; fragile—handle with care.
About This Fossil
A remarkably delicate specimen of the prehistoric amphibian Apateon, a small branchiosaurid that thrived during the Lower Permian, long before the rise of the dinosaurs. This specimen, measuring 6cm from head to tail, offers a rare glimpse into the early evolution of tetrapods. Its salamander-like form is elegantly captured on a thin matrix, showcasing the fine skeletal structure and limbs of a creature that once navigated the freshwater environments of ancient Europe.
This particular fossil originates from a long-held private collection dating back to the 1970s. Such specimens from the classic Odernheim locality are increasingly rare on the market, especially within the UK. To ensure its preservation, the fossil is housed within a premium glass display case, providing both protection and an authoritative museum-style presentation for your home or office.
Formation & Preservation
This fossil was preserved within the fine-grained lacustrine (lake) sediments of the Saar-Nahe Basin. During the Permian, these lakes provided an ideal low-energy environment for fossilisation; as the amphibians perished, they were rapidly covered by anaerobic mud, preventing scavengers from disturbing the remains and allowing for exquisite anatomical detail to be retained.
What Makes This Specimen Special
This is a heritage piece with exceptional provenance, hailing from a 1970s private collection. Its rarity in the UK market and the inclusion of the bespoke glass display case make it a significant acquisition for any serious palaeontology enthusiast.
Authenticity & Sourcing
Real vs Replica
- This is a genuine fossil — not a replica unless clearly stated. Clearly described and honestly presented.
- You will receive the exact fossil shown in the photographs.
Ethical Sourcing
- Sourced from established suppliers and known commercial sites. We do not buy from localities we know to be protected, scientifically restricted, or subject to export controls. Origin and sourcing information is shared where known.
- ✓We will not knowingly handle specimens removed in breach of any country's heritage or export laws.
Origin & Natural Variation
Stated origin (Odernheim, Germany) and formation (Meisenheim Formation (implied by Odernheim locality)) are based on supplier information and available geological references. Identification can vary in certainty — especially for fragments — so where exact locality cannot be independently verified, we describe the formation rather than a single quarry.
Fossils are natural objects. Expect minor variation in colour, surface texture, and matrix, mineralisation and surface detail. Treatment information is shown under Condition & Treatment where it is recorded. “Not recorded” means we hold no verified record for that detail; it is not a claim that no treatment occurred.
Read our full authenticity & honest descriptions policy or the authenticity & sourcing clause in our terms.
Shipping, Returns & Packaging
• UK shipping: Free on orders of £50 or more. Standard £4.95 (Royal Mail Tracked 48, typically 2–3 working days after dispatch).
• International: Available worldwide. Rates at checkout.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped, cushioned, and boxed. Fragile specimens receive extra protection.
• Dispatch: Within 2 working days (framed, mounted, or made-to-order pieces take 1 additional working day).
• Returns: 30-day returns. Contact us first. Item must be in original condition.