Fossil Crab

Item Description

An attractive fossil crab from the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. I'm told that it dates to the Pliocene Period (5 million years ago) and the species is Etisus javanicus. It's quite rare to find such well-preserved examples like this, and while it's not 100% complete (the legs are only partially preserved as the distal appendage elements on the walking legs are gone), both of the claws and the body are in very good condition. The little "teeth" of the claws are actually still visible when you look closely. Good fossils of this size and quality are not easy to find on the market, and this piece is one of the few of its kind we've had to offer in the auctions.