30908cfe53c44b03871fd77300e5d42f

A reconstructed habitat showing a presumed savanna of open grassland dominating the Agate landscape as it may have appeared 25 million years ago

A reconstructed habitat showing a presumed savanna of open grassland dominating the Agate landscape as it may have appeared 25 million years ago

The illustration depicts the characteristic interfluvial (upland, between streams) vegetation during the time of the deposition of its early Miocene Epoch fossil fauna Sclerophylous trees such as oaks predominate, with occasional hackberry (Celtis), as well as yellow pine (very much like the extant Ponderosa pine) The grove-like occurrence of the trees and woody shrubs hints at a fire ecology, which keeps the grassy meadows between the copses relatively free of woody-plant encroachment; an exception being the sumac (Rhus) and the small fire-trimmed oak In the foreground are several grazing three-toed Parahippus, an ancestor of today’s horse In the mid-ground are several long-necked shrub and tree-browsing Oxydactylus camellids move away into the distance Overhead, a low flying hawk makes his early morning round searching for rodents in the meadow

All research and reconstruction for this illustration was completed by artist Jay H. Matternes.; Abbr=PUB

U.S. National Park Service

Project=Handbook; Reflective Art

Government owns art and all reproduction rights.

Public domain

Natural History, (HFC ArtTheme)
, Acrylic on illustration board, (HFC ArtMedium)

Image

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Code: AGFO

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Sioux County, Nebraska
Latitude: 42.421501159668, Longitude: -103.744003295898

Image Management System : IMS 10941

HFC Commissioned Art Collection

20190904

01/01/1977 - 12/30/1977

Image_Size=27-7/8" x 16-1/2"; Count:2/3; Agate Fossil Beds National Monument handbook, pages 56-57

MC A4

Public Can View

Matternes, Jay

Organization: Harpers Ferry Center
Address: Harpers Ferry Center, 67 Mather Place, Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425, 304-535-5050

Friday, October 4, 2019 11:15:45 AM

Friday, October 4, 2019 11:15:45 AM

10941.jpg

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