Polished Indonesian Triassic Petrified Black Wood Slab

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Miocene Period, ca. 20 million years ago. A stunning jet-black slab of fossilized or petrified wood that is cut to show off the interior! The disc is polished on one planar face to showcase the broad interior rings of the tree with a gorgeous, inky black with a few brown inclusions - but otherwise this slab resembles a reflective abyss! Wood becomes petrified when it dies and is buried under sediment that creates an anaerobic deposition environment due to the absence of oxygen. Indonesian trees were usually covered in volcanic ash which nearly stops all decomposition or submerged in swampy and stagnant water, perfect for permineralization. Water full of minerals flows through the wood, depositing minerals into its cells that slowly form stone as the cells decay. The incredible black hues form due to the minerals and chemicals present in the water or mud that slowly replace the organic tree material with stone. Size: 21.5" Diameter x 2" W (54.6 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#168931
Condition Report: Professionally cut and prepared. Polished on one side and covered with clear protective coating. Stable fissures are infilled with the sealant. Minor abrasion on the polished face. Other face is covered in a sealant and the interior rings are not visible.