BANDED IRON SLAB – STROMATOLITE

BANDED IRON SLAB – STROMATOLITE

Unknown Locality

2.5 – 3.5 Billion years old

Overall Measurements: 59.00 x 50.00 x 1.50 inches (149.86 x 127.00 x 3.81 cm)

Stromatolites are the fossil remains of primitive pre-Cambrian algae colonies – most of the known localities are over two billion years old. This stunning banded iron slab is believed to derive in part from the remains of 2½ billion-year-old photosynthesizing Cyanobacteria, or Algae. Their fossil remains are collectively known as: Stromatolites and they represent the oldest organisms in the fossil record. Layers of Stromatolite, red Jasper, and shining metallic Hematite, alternate in tightly compressed bands and attest to the strong forces of nature that were in motion when this ancient Stromatolite colony was initially deposited during the Archaean period, 3.5 to 2.5 billion years ago. Quite large in size having been slabbed from a single huge boulder, the top surface has been well polished to reveal the mineral replaced stromatolite colonies. Suitable for a tabletop.