British Trilobite Ogyginus Partial Fossil Ordovician Llanvirn Wales UK Genuine Specimen with Stand

Overview

This exceptional British Trilobite (Ogyginus) Partial Fossil originates from the Llanvirn Series of the Ordovician Period, discovered at the Upper Gilwern Quarry, Wales, UK. It is a genuine and scientifically significant specimen, elegantly presented with a display stand, ideal for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of palaeontology. The photograph shows the exact specimen you will receive, accompanied by a 1cm scale cube for accurate reference—please see the photo for full sizing details.

The fossil was discovered by our team members, Alister and Alison, on 02 April 2024, and has been meticulously cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison. As with all our items, this is a 100% genuine fossil and is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity confirming its provenance and preparation details.

Geological and Stratigraphic Context

The specimen was collected from the Upper Gilwern Quarry, a classic locality exposing rocks of the Llanvirn Series within the Ordovician System, dating to approximately 465–460 million years ago. During the Ordovician, Wales was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea, part of the ancient microcontinent Avalonia. These marine conditions provided an ideal environment for diverse life to thrive, from trilobites and graptolites to brachiopods and crinoids.

The rock matrix surrounding this fossil consists primarily of grey mudstones and fine siltstones, deposited in a quiet, low-energy marine shelf environment. Such settings favoured the preservation of fine anatomical detail as organisms were gently buried by sediment. The trilobite fauna of the Upper Gilwern beds is characteristic of the Arenig–Llanvirn biozones, representing one of the most important intervals in British Ordovician palaeontology.

Palaeontological Description

Ogyginus is a distinctive genus within the order Asaphida, superfamily Asaphoidea, and family Asaphidae—a group of smooth-shelled trilobites that were widespread throughout Ordovician seas. It was first described by Murchison in the 19th century and remains one of the best-known genera in British fossil studies.

This genus is characterised by its broad, semicircular cephalon (head shield), wide glabella, and numerous thoracic segments, reflecting an adaptation for life on or within soft marine sediments. The partial fossil impression preserved here reveals the detailed contours of the exoskeleton, with subtle ridges and segmentation still visible. These features suggest that Ogyginus lived as a benthic detritivore, feeding on organic material in the sediment and moving slowly across the Ordovician seabed.

Trilobites like Ogyginus played an important role in the Ordovician marine ecosystem, contributing to sediment turnover and forming part of the early arthropod radiation that coincided with the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE). The well-preserved details of this specimen make it both scientifically informative and visually striking, capturing the evolutionary sophistication of one of Earth’s earliest arthropods.

Scientific and Geological Significance

The Llanvirn-aged strata from which this fossil was recovered belong to a crucial geological stage that helps define Ordovician chronostratigraphy in Britain. Trilobites from this sequence, especially Ogyginus, serve as important index fossils for dating and correlating rock layers across Europe.

The depositional environment was likely a calm, open-marine shelf, where slow sedimentation rates and low oxygen levels promoted fossil preservation. The presence of this fossil within such a matrix indicates minimal post-mortem disturbance and gentle burial—key factors for the retention of detailed morphological features.

This specimen represents a direct link to an era of immense evolutionary innovation, when complex marine ecosystems flourished and trilobites diversified across global seas.

Display and Collectible Qualities

Mounted on a custom display stand, this fossil offers both scientific and aesthetic appeal. The natural contrast between the matrix and fossil surface highlights the anatomical features of the trilobite, making it an attractive display piece for homes, offices, or educational environments.

Each specimen is ethically collected, professionally stabilised, and prepared to ensure its long-term preservation. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity verifies its geological age, species identification, and discovery details.

This British Trilobite (Ogyginus) Partial Fossil from the Llanvirn Series, Ordovician of Upper Gilwern Quarry, Wales is a beautiful and scientifically important relic of ancient life—an authentic fragment of Britain’s geological heritage, expertly prepared and ready to display.