Fossil Turtle (Basilemys) Shell Fragment, Alberta (disposition #001590)

During the late Cretaceous period in Alberta, there were a large and diverse variety of turtles. The largest of all of these was basilemys. This specimen is a large fragment of the carapace, or upper shell, which could reach up to 1 metre in length!

The outer surface, of this specimen, preserves a distinctive network of pits and winding ridges, while the reverse exposes smoother, internal bone surfaces. Turtle shell fragments are often found in deposits called "micro-vertebrate sites" but specimens of this size are not common common. Note this specimen has been repaired with adhesives.

Part of the Harvey Negrich Collection, this specimen offers collectors a representative of the freshwater reptiles that lived alongside Alberta’s Late Cretaceous dinosaurs. Its clearly expressed shell ornamentation makes it particularly suitable for an educational display or a collection focused on Alberta’s ancient ecosystems.

Legal Status: This specimen is legally available for private ownership and resale under Alberta Disposition Certificate #001590. A copy of the disposition documentation will accompany the specimen. Learn more about Alberta fossils and the disposition process.

Species: Basilemys (turtle) carapace fragment
Age: Late Cretaceous (Campanian or 74.8 - 77.5 million years ago)
Formation: Dinosaur Park or Oldman formation (Belly River/Judith River Group)
Locality: North of Brooks, Alberta, Canada
Dimensions: 11 x 15.5 cm
Provenance: Harvey Negrich Collection
Alberta Disposition Certificate Number: 001590 (specimen #HN275) issued July 7, 2026