47-million year old couple (of turtles) caught in the act.

Locked in stone and shale  (courtesy- Naturmuseum Senckenberg)

The fossilized remains of nearly 9 pairs of mating turtles were found in the Messel Pit in Germany, famous for its treasure trove of extensively preserved fossils collected over the years since its disuse as a coal/shale mine.

Scientists say that the turtles were in coitus on the surface of the lake but died and sank to the bottom as they were overcome by toxic gases released by a volcano. True love never dies eh?

Pig Nosed Cousin. (Courtesy: Erik W. Grow)

These old fellas have descendants around though. The pig nosed turtle loses the reptilian scales for a smooth shell that allows it to breathe under water but these are pretty much the same turtles you see up in stone. Only smaller of course.