Genuine Fossil Trilobite Single Piece

Product Description

Trilobites were among the most successful and diverse marine arthropods in Earth’s history, thriving in ancient seas from the Cambrian through the Permian periods before their extinction. Their segmented exoskeletons, made of calcite, fossilised readily, making trilobites one of the most commonly studied and best-documented fossil groups used in paleontology education worldwide.

This single-piece specimen preserves the distinctive three-lobed body structure that gives trilobites their name, with a central axial lobe flanked by two lateral lobes. It gives students a genuine, hands-on introduction to invertebrate paleontology, fossil preservation, and the use of trilobites as index fossils for dating sedimentary rock layers.

Specimen Details

Classroom & Lab Applications

• Introducing invertebrate paleontology and the fossil record
• Demonstrating how index fossils are used to date rock layers
• Discussing arthropod evolution and exoskeleton fossilisation
• Building a fossil teaching collection alongside other invertebrate specimens
• Hand-lens examination of segmented body structure

Care & Handling

Fossil specimens can be more fragile than typical rock samples, particularly around fine surface detail. Store this specimen in a labelled, padded tray, handle with clean dry hands, and avoid dropping or stacking heavier items on top, since fossil detail can be damaged by impact or abrasion.

Why Choose LabEquip

LabEquip supplies genuine rock, mineral and fossil specimens for schools, colleges and training institutes, selected for authenticity and classroom durability. This trilobite specimen pairs well with our other Educational Rock and Minerals when building a paleontology teaching collection, and complements our Gneiss Rock specimen for contrasting fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks with metamorphic rock types. For institutions equipping a broader earth-science lab, our Chemistry Lab Equipment range covers complementary testing tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a genuine fossil?

Yes, this is a genuine trilobite fossil, not a cast or replica, preserving the actual mineralised remains of the ancient marine arthropod.

2. What is a trilobite?

Trilobites were marine arthropods with a distinctive three-lobed, segmented exoskeleton that lived throughout the Paleozoic Era before going extinct at the end of the Permian period.

3. Why are trilobites used as index fossils?

Because different trilobite species existed during specific, well-documented time intervals, geologists use their presence in rock layers to help estimate the age of those sedimentary deposits.

4. What does the three-lobed structure refer to?

Trilobites take their name from their exoskeleton’s three longitudinal lobes: a raised central axial lobe flanked by two flatter lateral lobes running the length of the body.

5. How old are trilobite fossils typically?

Trilobites lived from the Cambrian period through to the end of the Permian period, meaning specimens can range from several hundred million years old depending on the species and formation.

6. How should this fossil specimen be stored?

Store the specimen in a labelled, padded tray away from heavier items, and handle it with clean dry hands to protect fine surface detail from abrasion or accidental impact.

Last Updated: September 2026