36.5" Spectacular Fossil Stromatolite (Collenia) Slab - Minnesota

Spectacular Fossil Stromatolite (Collenia) Slab - Minnesota #280015

This is a jaw dropping, 36.5" wide polished stromatolite (Collenia undosa) slab commonly referred to as Mary Ellen Jasper, collected from the Biwabik Iron Formation in Minnesota. The striking red color is a result of the overlying hematite impurities, interrupted by streaks/veins of pure lustrous hematite. The slab is just under an inch thick and weighs 77.7 lbs.

This piece came from a boulder which was excavated in 1992 (photos in set). Three large slabs were cut from its center. One of these slabs is on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota, the other is in the collection of the person who excavated the boulder and this is the third.

A solid wood backing has been applied to the back of the specimen for stability purposes, making the slab suitable for use as a table top or wall display. If wall display is what you're looking for, upon request, we can add wall mounting hardware at no additional cost. Be sure to include whether you would prefer vertical or horizontal display.

The boulder this slab was cut from being extracted in 1992. Only three large slabs exist, one on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Stromatolites are the layered trace fossils of microbial life, primarily cyanobacteria. Some of them date back an astounding 3.4 billion years, making them the oldest record of life on Earth! Stromatolites and Microbialites were typically formed in shallow water by the growth of layer upon layer of cyanobacteria, a single-celled, photosynthesizing microbe. These layers often form very beautiful and colorful banded structures in the rock.

These oxygen-producing cyanobacteria were so simple they lacked a DNA-packaging nucleus, but were responsible for possibly the largest changes the earth has undergone. They were the only major source of atmospheric oxygen critical for the development of more complex life.