ABSTRACT
This photograph features the shell of a fossilized ammonite that was hundreds of millions of years old. The iridescent colors are produced by alternating layers of aragonite and conchiolin, or from minerals that have replaced them over the millions of years during the fossilization process. The shell was photographed with a simple microscope. Axial illumination was used to show the iridescent colors. The specimen was coated with mineral oil to control specular highlights. Creating e ective focus at high magnifi cations is always di cult. This photo was originally published in Ancient Microworlds, published by Customs and Limited Editions, coauthored with Giraud Foster. Image courtesy of Norman J. Barker.
