{"product_id":"oligocene-dugong-sirenian-fossil-rib","title":"Oligocene Dugong (Sirenian) Fossil Rib on Custom Display Stand | Circa 23–34 Million Years Old","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Geological origin unrecorded\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fossilized bone; modern wood and metal display stand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oligocene Epoch, approximately 23–34 million years ago\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn impressive fossilized rib attributed to an ancient dugong or closely related sirenian dating to the Oligocene Epoch, approximately 23 to 34 million years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe substantial rib displays the long, naturally curved form characteristic of the exceptionally dense skeletal structure of sirenians, the marine mammal group that includes modern dugongs and manatees. Sirenian ribs are unusually heavy and compact, an adaptation known as pachyostosis that helped these slow-moving aquatic herbivores regulate buoyancy while feeding in shallow coastal environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen possesses a dramatic sweeping profile, with areas of naturally exposed internal bone structure visible at the ends. The dark mineralized surface preserves pronounced geological texture, irregularities, and areas of lighter mineral deposition accumulated during fossilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Genuine fossilized rib attributed to an ancient dugong or related sirenian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dates to the Oligocene Epoch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Approximately 23–34 million years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Large, sweeping naturally curved form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dense fossilized structure characteristic of sirenian ribs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Visible internal bone structure at the naturally incomplete ends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dark mineralized surface with contrasting fossil and mineral deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Substantial approximately 19.5-inch overall length\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Presented on a custom wood and metal display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDugongs belong to the order Sirenia, an ancient lineage of fully aquatic herbivorous mammals whose fossil record extends more than 50 million years into the past. During the Oligocene, changing coastlines and increasingly widespread shallow marine habitats encouraged the diversification of several sirenian groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike most mammals, sirenians developed exceptionally thick and dense ribs. This skeletal adaptation added ballast to the body and assisted the animals in remaining submerged while grazing on seagrasses and other aquatic vegetation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFossilized ribs therefore provide an immediately tangible example of both the anatomy and evolutionary adaptation of prehistoric marine mammals. At nearly twenty inches in overall display length, this specimen presents that adaptation on an unusually substantial scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fossil remains in good, stable geological condition with extensive natural mineralization, surface texture, age-related erosion, fissures, deposits, and irregularities consistent with fossilized bone of considerable antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth terminal areas are incomplete and expose portions of the internal fossilized bone structure. Surface variation, mineral deposits, small losses, pits, and natural imperfections are present throughout and form part of the specimen's geological character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 19.5 in\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 9 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 3 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIncluding Display Stand\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOligocene Epoch, 23–34 million years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired from Broken Rock Fossil Shop, Belfast, Prince Edward Island, Canada, an independent fossil and mineral shop operated by Linda Nobles and specializing in dinosaur fossils, minerals, crystals, and other natural-history specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe specimen was reportedly personally unearthed by Nobles during one of her field expeditions near Newcastle, Wyoming, USA, where she has participated in the discovery and excavation of prehistoric remains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore fossilized dugong remains and learn more about the ancient history of sirenians through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/collections.qm.org.qa\/en\/objects\/fossilized-dugong-arc200814387\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eQatar Museums\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/prehistoric-wonders-ancient-relics-art\"\u003ePrehistoric Wonders: Ancient Relics \u0026amp; Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56178790072642,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_75.jpg?v=1789501831","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/oligocene-dugong-sirenian-fossil-rib","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}