Devonian Period
419 - 359 million years ago
Brief Overview of Devonian Period
Eon: Phanerozoic
Era: Paleozoic
Followed by: Carboniferous Period
Preceded by: Silurian Period
Formation: Mahantango
Range: Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
Fossil Types: Marine
Description: The rocks were deposited in the Mahantango Formation during the Middle Devonian Period approximately 370 million years ago. This formation is usually highly fossiliferous. The many fossils are evidence of a period of time when abundant marine life flourished on the sea bottom. The conditions for the growth of “pelecypods” (bi-valves) and brachiopods especially must have been just right at these localities.
Mahantango Formation Fossil Identification
See the images below for some examples of finds we've made at various sites.
For more a more detailed pictorial ID field guide click here to go to the Fossil Guy's website.
For a more extensive ID site of Mahantango Formation fossils click here to go to View of the Mahantango website.
