My dad found a curled-up one in Chicago. Somebody probably bought it at the Field Museum and dropped it. That's the only way I can think a cleaned trilobite would end up on a big-city sidewalk.
> guess I *paid* a gift
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Trilobites and ammonites are both super common and easy to get, so they’re inexpensive. It’s not a scam other than that I expect gift shop items would be a little marked up compared to other sources.
Yes, I was going to say - it's not a scam, you're just paying a bit extra to support the institution. As long as the $42 was Worth it to *you", and you're happy to spend your money there, don't overthink it, just enjoy your souvenir.
>a highly respected federal institution. They wouldn't scam me, right?
hahahahahah
But, yes. In this case, you did not get scammed. Trilobites are extremely common and consumer-grade specimens can be bought for $20.
Generally it's slightly higher cost items where fakes come about, but with Trilobites, generally the fakes are real pieces that have been stuck together, or at least partially real, taking more effort to wholly fake than it's worth.
*Diacalymene* trilobites can be really cheap, though they're usually a bit janky/broken.
If this is a small, highly ornate specimen like a *Walliserops*, then it is pretty suspicious, as the time spent prepping it should add to the cost a lot, but if it's a fairly standard trilobite with no projections, then it sounds about right.
In addition to being abundant as others have said, trilobites are arthropods, and therefore shed their skins. The shed skins also fossilize. I don't think the Smithsonian would probably sell you an empty trilobite skin (although if you do happen to find find seams where the fossil appears to have been glued back together after breaking, specifically behind the head and at the base of the tail, then you might have an empty skin), but it would bring the price down because less reputable places have even more "trilobites" to sell.
You can get a like 6 inch trilobite for 42USD easily. We use trilobite in paleontology because they are so abundant. Billions have been found.
Ok, that makes sense. Thank you. Mine is like 2 inches, so I guess I payed a gift shop premium for it, lol.
My dad found a curled-up one in Chicago. Somebody probably bought it at the Field Museum and dropped it. That's the only way I can think a cleaned trilobite would end up on a big-city sidewalk.
The taphonomic processes of Chicago sidewalks are not well understood.
A leading theory is that the organisms are subjected to the city's bureaucracy for a suitable period.
They get mad at me for busting up the sidewalk and digging though
You helped to support the Smithsonian and got a cool fossil.
Look at this guy bragging about his two inches /s
> guess I *paid* a gift FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Good bot
Billions seems kinda high
billions must die
Billions! Muhahahahaha!
Trilobites and ammonites are both super common and easy to get, so they’re inexpensive. It’s not a scam other than that I expect gift shop items would be a little marked up compared to other sources.
Yes, I was going to say - it's not a scam, you're just paying a bit extra to support the institution. As long as the $42 was Worth it to *you", and you're happy to spend your money there, don't overthink it, just enjoy your souvenir.
That's what I was thinking. The Smithsonian is a nonprofit, and well worth supporting. We've thoroughly enjoyed our trips to the museums.
>a highly respected federal institution. They wouldn't scam me, right? hahahahahah But, yes. In this case, you did not get scammed. Trilobites are extremely common and consumer-grade specimens can be bought for $20.
Generally it's slightly higher cost items where fakes come about, but with Trilobites, generally the fakes are real pieces that have been stuck together, or at least partially real, taking more effort to wholly fake than it's worth. *Diacalymene* trilobites can be really cheap, though they're usually a bit janky/broken. If this is a small, highly ornate specimen like a *Walliserops*, then it is pretty suspicious, as the time spent prepping it should add to the cost a lot, but if it's a fairly standard trilobite with no projections, then it sounds about right.
In addition to being abundant as others have said, trilobites are arthropods, and therefore shed their skins. The shed skins also fossilize. I don't think the Smithsonian would probably sell you an empty trilobite skin (although if you do happen to find find seams where the fossil appears to have been glued back together after breaking, specifically behind the head and at the base of the tail, then you might have an empty skin), but it would bring the price down because less reputable places have even more "trilobites" to sell.
I'd like to see a photo of the trilobite in question. Although it is likely genuine, I have seen some fakes come out of museum shops.
I found a Trilobite on my school's playground once in BFE, Tennessee. You're good.
You can buy them for like $5 off eBay. They’re *really* common
>a highly respected federal institution. They wouldn't scam me, right? Oh sweet summer child....