Mined from: Madagascar

Era: Cenozoic
Geological Age:  Approximately 1,500,000 BCE to 1200–1650 CE

Description: This Elephant Bird eggshell fragment from Madagascar is a rare and awe-inspiring relic of one of the largest birds to ever walk the Earth—Aepyornis, the extinct Elephant Bird. These massive, flightless birds lived during the Cenozoic Era, with their history stretching from approximately 1,500,000 BCE through to their extinction between 1200 and 1650 CE. Once roaming the forests of Madagascar, an adult Aepyornis could stand over 3 meters tall and lay eggs up to 160 times the size of a chicken’s. This fossilized shell fragment is a tangible piece of that legacy, showcasing the thick, dimpled texture of the egg’s outer layer—nature’s most literal hard case.

Found only in the remote sandy and silty soils of southern Madagascar, these fragments are often all that remain of the species, which likely went extinct due to a combination of habitat loss and human activity. Each piece is unique, with its own curvature, surface texture, and mineral staining. Though technically sub-fossilized rather than fully petrified, these shells still possess impressive durability and historical importance—especially considering their role in local folklore and early zoological discoveries.

Small
Approximate Size of 1 piece: 45mm x 35mm x 3mm
Approximate Weight of 1 piece: 10g

Large
Approximate Size of 1 piece: 70mm x 45mm x 4mm
Approximate Weight of 1 piece: 25g

Quantity: 1pc

We do our best to buy quality products- although not every rock is the same. If you choose to purchase the "staff pick option", we will select the best of the batch for you. Otherwise, it will be at random from the larger batch we have in stock.