Phacops was a medium-to-large trilobite that lived in shallow water.
The creature had 11 segments in its thorax section, and the pygidium (tail unit) was small and semi-circular.
Like other trilobites, Phacops was capable of rolling itself into a tight ball when under threat of predation.
The distinctly round glabella ('forehead') expands forward and is covered in rounded lumps, known as tubercles.
Another distinctive feature of Phacops was its eyes, which were schizochroal, or multi- faceted.
This means that each eye had many discrete, individual lenses, each with its own covering, or cornea, and separated from neighbouring lens units by areas called sclerae.
These large eyes could swivel, and would have allowed an almost all-round field of vision.
This indicates that Pbacops was most likely a predator, perhaps hunting in low light levels.