Mineral Monday: Helicoprion Fossil

This week's specimen illustrates a unique feature of this ancient shark species.

Helicoprion fossil on display

This helicoprion fossil can be found on the mezzanine level of the Keck Museum in case number 62.

Mineral Monday: Helicoprion Fossil

This week's specimen illustrates a unique feature of this ancient shark species.

This helicoprion fossil can be found on the mezzanine level of the Keck Museum in case number 62.

Helicoprion fossil on display

This helicoprion fossil can be found on the mezzanine level of the Keck Museum in case number 62.

Mineral Monday is a weekly video series exploring the many amazing minerals, fossils, and historic objects on display at the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum as told by museum curator Garrett Barmore. This week's specimen confounds many a visitor. The Fibonacci spiral illustrates a unique feature of the helicoprion, which is a type of ancient shark. Before watching, can you guess which body part has been fossilized?

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Located in the Mackay School of Mines building at the University of Nevada, Reno, the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The Keck Museum houses an outstanding collection of minerals, ores, fossil specimens, and photographs, in addition to mining related relics. The museum is also home to some of the spectacular Mackay Silver Collection, created by Tiffany & Co., for John Mackay and completed in 1878.

For directions and museum details, visit unr.edu/keck

Mineral Monday is produced by the College of Science. To receive Mineral Monday in your inbox each week, sign up here.

See you next Mineral Monday!

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