largarstatten

• Konzentrat Lagarstatten


  Sediments with high concentrations of fossils, however less well preserved than Konservat
• Quick burial in sediment before or soon after death reduces scavenging and erosion of the remains
• Lagarstatten provide only a snapshot of life at a particular time in a particular place
• Konservat Lagarstatten

  High quality of preservation, often preserving soft tissues, providing crucial information in the history of evolution
• No scavenging of remains is preferred because it means they are not displaced or damaged
• Lagarstatten

  Resting place
• Konzentrat Lagarstatten


  • Tar pits in Los Angeles
• Anaerobic conditions in sediment and anoxic conditions in the water

  Slow decay and allow fossils to be preserved with great detail
• Konservat Lagarstatten

  • Burgess Shale
  • Solnhofen Limestone
• Lagarstatten are rare
• Fine grained sediment

  Provides an effective seal, reduces decay and preserves specimens in great detail