Maritime Mysteries

Don’t mess with this fish! For Fossil Friday, let’s meet Dunkleosteus terrelli. It lived some 360 million years ago during the Devonian. Scientists think it was one of the first large jawed vertebrates in the ocean and an aggressive predator. The razor-sharp edges of bones in its jaws served as cutters, and as they rubbed against each other, the opposing jaw blades acted like self-sharpening shears. These bones continued to grow as they were worn down by use.

This specimen, on display in the Museum’s Hall of Vertebrate Origins, was found in Ohio. Spot Dunkleosteus and other prehistoric animals at the Museum! Plan your visit.

Celestial Conch Shell with Skulls, Huastec, Veracruz (Northern), Mexico, 900–1521

▪︎ Album of seaweed specimens, in scallop shell binding.

Place of origin: Great Britain

Lighthouse and seagulls