Search the Community

My son found, what looks to us to be, a backbone in the rock, in the shallow water of a beach in Door County, WI. The first picture is the fossil in question, the others are other things we found interesting but less convinced they are fossils. I would estimate it to be about 15 to 18 inches in length. Any idea what it could be? Thanks in advance for your time.

Please help me identify this fossil found yesterday on a hike Door County. It was found among very common fossils like corals.

Hello! I'm a new fossil enthusiast in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I find Silurian and Devonian crinoids, gastropods, brachiopods, bryozoans, and corals here, mostly on the Lake Michigan shore. I found the attached rock in Door County, Wisconsin, about 3 hours north of here, in the water off of a public beach. It doesn't resemble anything else I've ever found. I am very curious about it so I would be thrilled if anyone can identify it or provide possibilities. The first pic is a little blurry but should give an idea about size. The other two should be good closeups. Thanks!

Hello, Yesterday I stumbled upon an interesting rock for our area. Blackish, roundish, chert like, it stood out from our normal limestone. I thought it would look good in our garden. I washed it off later in the day along with a number of nice clam fossils found in a different spot. During the cleaning process my jaw came unhinged! I was skeptical, but now I am sure I have found a fossilized(agatized?) bone. The piece shows bone structure and porosity. The piece seems to have been fossilized by being half immersed, bone surface is present on one face, bone structure(less smooth face) continues across. Very strong and graphic example of the process of fossilization. Door County Wisconsin is that thumb part of the state that juts out into Lake Michigan. Geologically we are on the Niagra Escarpement which is a peninsula of dolomitic limestone. Corals and clams are common fossils. Our peninsula exists due to an interlobate position during the last glaciation. The glacial till this piece was found in is near the Green Bay glacial track. I believe this to be a significant find for our area. I would appreciate guidance in how to best identify this piece. I am starting here as I believe your opinions and expertise will help bring this piece to light. Thank You! Scott