Fossil Gallery Mural 02_Q121019001gm

With their delicate structure, palm fronds are among the rarest fossil finds. This striking, 103” tall fossil is one of the largest and most complete palm fronds ever unearthed. Only a small fraction of life makes it into the fossil record. Most living organisms simply disappear without a trace. Ancient flora, fauna, and fish fossils represent some of Earth’s earliest art. Southwest Wyoming’s Green River Formation has preserved spectacular, detailed, and complete fish fossils, palm fronds, insects, reptiles, turtles, birds, horses, and crocodiles from the Eocene Epoch of approximately 50 million years ago.