Petrified Oak Wood — Growth Rings Revealed
Miocene (approx. 23-5.3 million years ago), Stinkingwater Pass, Harney County, Oregon, USA
Auction Closed
July 14, 07:13 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Petrified Oak Wood — Growth Rings Revealed
Quercus simulata
Miocene (approx. 23-5.3 million years ago)
Stinkingwater Pass, Harney County, Oregon, USA
19⅝ x 17½ x 1¼ inches (49.8 x 44.5 x 3.2 cm). 46 pounds (20.9 kg).
This cross section of mineralized fossil wood is in very good condition. It is cut and polished to reveal its inner beauty. The growth rings are preserved in exquisite detail capturing the development of this ancient tree. It is a textbook example with decorative appeal.
This petrified slice of Quercus simulata, a type of extinct oak, comes from the world-renowned Stinkingwater Pass locality in Oregon. Further recovery of petrified wood from this area has been made difficult by a tough volcanic cap covering the wood-bearing strata. This highly agatized and finely preserves slice allows for a "mirror" shine on its polished side; its central "eyes" are impressive with some of the diagnostic black patches framed within a creamy tan kidney-shaped area irregularly ringed in brown. The size is unusually large and increasingly difficult to find.