A rarely offered crinoid from SW Ontario, Canada. The quarry layers where these were once found sit under about 20 feet of water making collection impossible. Luckily, every once in a while, one will weather out from the river banks. This plate was rescued with a handful of other specimens in 2023 after heavy rains exposed them to the elements. These crinoids are found in the Arkona Shale, a very difficult material to work with due to its clay-like properties. If one is lucky enough to excavate a find, it then must be cured for extended periods of time before it can be prepared. Dry too fast and you'll get a handful of dust and no fossil! Stabilizing agents must then be added to strenghten the piece. The Arkona Shale tends to have wonderful preservation, in some cases with zero compression to the fossilized animal.
 
Arthroacantha carpenteri
Arkona Shale, Hamilton gr
Arkona, Ontario, Canada
Middle Devonian