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Originally shared by American Museum of Natural History Time for #TrilobiteTuesday! Over the last two decades, Morocco has emerged as the epicenter of trilobite discoveries. From Lower Cambrian Fallotaspids (the first recognized trilobites, over 520 million years old) through an incredible array of unusual Devonian species—many featuring outlandish spines and multi-faceted eyes—the sedimentary strata of North Africa has provided a veritable bonanza of bizarre trilobite types. Dozens of previously unknown species have emerged from the rich Paleozoic soils of Morocco, such as the 6 cm Ceratarges ziregensis (pictured). These specimens often require the delicate work of preparation artisans to free them from their eons-old rock encasements. While a dearth of scientific research has been done on the preponderance of material so-far found, there are a growing number of paleontologists around the globe who have recently begun to tackle this daunting, yet fascinating task. See many more trilob...