Description
Archaeaspis is effectively the oldest complete trilobite available. Appearing in the Lower Cambrian, during the late Atdabanian stage, this primal trilobite lived between 521 to 514 million years ago. Archaeaspis would serve as the blueprint for future trilobite species that would go on to span some 250 million years.
This is a large specimen relatively speaking. Measuring 3.5 cm in length. It is one of the best examples of this species we’ve seen.
Further notes: “Archaeaspis macropleuron” is often used incorrectly on Eofallotaspis sp. specimens. Please see last photo here for the original figures from the 2002 Journal Paleontology article that originally describes this species.
