Libraries are a wonderful place to explore things new and old. A recent donation from Richard and Janice Hightower is probably both for most of us! Although somewhat familiar with fossils, this one was a new discovery for us. This fossil crinoid is 350 million years old and comes from South Morocco. It’s quite large at 46 x 40 inches and weighs about 150 pounds.
Crinoids refers to a class of echinoderms, which were sea animals, but are often referred to as “sea lilies” because of their superficial resem- blance to flowers. Their existence dates from 530 million years ago in the Cambrian Period to just a couple of species still in existence today.
Want to know more? Come see this unusual and ancient animal at the Macon County Library and join us at one of our fossil programs Thursday, April 28 at 3:30pm and 6:00pm.