Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'rocks'.
-
Since joining this group, I've realized the importance of knowing what time period your fossils are coming from, but how do you do that? For example, say I'm out collecting at a road cut, how would I know when the fossils are from? I apologize if this seems like a dumb question.
-
Here is another show that I visited today, I really had my hopes up high for this show and arrived 1 hour early to it's 9 am start time. This sale was billed as the largest sale that the Wheaton College Geology Department has ever held. I was 8th in line and by the time the show opened there were about 70 people in line. There were 4 rooms on the lower level that held the items for sale. Each person was given a ticket with a number and we were advised to grab a box or bag that was located on the lower level and place the items that the person selected into the box / bag and then write your number on it and pay at the end. I would say that 99% of the items for sale were rocks and minerals, the fossils were located on one table in one of the rooms. The information on this sale stated that the prices on the items were lower than rock stores, that may have been true for the rocks and minerals, but the majority of the fossils were very high. Regarding the fossils, there really was nothing to write home about. I did pick up one piece identified as "Columnar Stromatolite" for $10.00. One thing that I was surprised with, especially seeing that these were supposed to be items that were the property of the Geology Department, was that lack of identification on the fossil specimens that were offered. After I post some pictures of the fossils for sale, I will add some pictures of the fossils that the school had on display. Here is the piece of Stromatolite that I purchased. Here are some pictures of their displays.
-
Des Plaines Valley (Illinois) Geological Society Rock / Fossil Show
Nimravis posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
Today I went to two different Rock / Mineral / Fossil Shows today, I will post each one separately. The Des Plaines Valley Geological Show is a small show, but with small shows you can find some nice / different things, but that was not the case today. I did visit this show last year and posted a report and many of the same fossils that were available then were still available today. I will go back to this show next year to see if there is something that strikes my fancy (First time I ever typed that phrase- LOL). Here are some overall pics of the show and some of the fossils.
- 19 replies
-
- 5
-
-
- des plaines
- fossils
- (and 1 more)
-
Hunting With The Curator of the CMM Apr 4 2019
FossilsAnonymous posted a topic in Fossil Hunting Trips
It was a glorious day to fossil hunt. Warm with a soft breeze and still slightly chilly water. See, I had gotten incredibly lucky. I had gotten a connection to Dr Stephen Godfrey and he invited me to hunt today at a classified location (sorry I am not allowed to spill the beans). Our friend Mr Eric came along as well as MomAnonymous. As soon as we had gotten there, interesting things began to appear. Dr Godfrey began to point out things i'd never had understood without being told. At the bottom of the cliff face, Dr Godfrey pointed to a strange indentation and then told us a story about he and other paleontologists finding completely intact fish skulls at the cliffs, which are nigh on impossible to find. Then he told us that the skulls were a type of tilefish, which as some may know burrow through mud. These tilefish buried themselves in these burrows and they became a kind of tomb, which is why they stayed intact and weren't destroyed. At this time, the Hobbit (movie) had just came out and when Dr Godfrey was given the ok to name the species, he went from something from the Hobbit. Dwarves tunneled, and their mountain was named the Lonely Mountain, and Erebor in the elvish language, and the species became Eraborensis.
- 18 replies
-
- 4
-
-
- big hemi
- bioturbation
- (and 8 more)
-
Chicago Rock and Mineral Society - 70th Annual Silent Auction
Nimravis posted a topic in General Fossil Discussion
Tonight I decided to stop by the Chicago Rock and Mineral Societies 70th Annual Silent Auction which ran from 6pm - 9pm. This was the first time that I have attended this event and since it was a rainy night and only 40 miles from home I figured I stop by to see what they had. Here are a couple pics of the event- Most people were interested in the Rocks and Minerals and not the few fossils that were offered, and I hate seeing fossils up for auction and no one bidding, so I did and picked up a couple items that I did not need. This first piece is from Mazon Creek and I do love bark, so I got this piece for $3.00- Calamites bark with a great cross section of an internode. Here are 3 pieces of Pennsylvanian black shale that contain Shark Spines- these are from Illinois and I forget which Pit they come from and they only cot 50 cents each. I definitely did not need this next flat of Upper Ordovician Isorthoceras sociale cephalopods, but I could not just let them sit there without anyone putting down the starting bid of $1.00. I wrote down $1.00 and this was the last table to close and no one raised it, so I brought them home. I was planning on collecting from this site again this year after the MAPS Show. These two larger pieces of Turritella Agate from I believe Wyoming were a good price at $2.00 each- one slab is natural and the other slab is cut and polished on both sides. I also picked up these 5 echinoids and 1 gastropod that were supposed to have been collected in July of 1967 in Salenia, Texas- I picked these pieces up for 50 cents each. Here are a bunch of brachiopods and 1 horn coral that I got for a few dollars, but I do not have a location or age on these, If someone can help out it would be appreciated @Tidgy's Dad @Peat Burns- I believe that they are all from the same location. I’m thinking maybe Devonian from New York or Ohio? Here is a small trilobite that may be complete within the matrix- unknown location. I picked this up for 50 cents as well as this other piece with multiple brachiopods, believe it maybe Ordovician Sowerbyella rugosa. All in all, it was a good time and I helped them get rid of some stuff that they did not have to pack up and take back.
.jpg.40fa27b5e58edce6f65ec2e9b7f3b7a6.jpg)
-
How do i free Ammonites or fossils from the rock? Tool advice.
Fossilywend posted a topic in Fossil Preparation
Help please. Complete beginner, first time hunting for fossils in Yorkshire, England (kettleness) I have no tools, just my hands and eyes at the minute Ive found a few ammonites which I would like to free. Thus far Ive watched youtube videos and googled only; they make it look so easy with just a hammer. My first attempt I broke the end off my ammonite and now afraid to try again. Please advise for tools and extraction methods? Also, how do I care for them once they are freed? many thanks!
-
Ok, I went looking for fossils in Renton, Washington state. I also went to Tukwila Washington (supposedly there are plant fossils here.) I found some things and maybe anyone could confirm if they are indeed fossils or something else. I'm not aiming for species of genus, the quality of these are not to that level, BUT if you have an idea, let me know. Thanks all. (I'm going to do kind of a dump here with all my findings.) Fig. A: Found in Green River Tukwila Washington. Not sure just picked the piece up about 1 1/2 inches long. Fig. B: Found in sedimentary rock in Renton Cedar river park. (people have found fossils here before) The picture of the boulder shows where the rock / fossil was lodged into it. Fig. C: I have no idea, it jumped out at me at Cedar River on the river bank next to a natural cut in the sediment. Fig. D: I believe this is old Carbonized wood or something like that but I'm so amateur I probably don't know what I'm talking about. It was found in the sediment (in the picture you can see it sticking out of rock). The Geologic map says Renton is in the Eocene time period but I know wood takes 300 million years to carbonize (So I read) Anyways if you could tell me how this got so deep in the sediments and maybe its age that would be great. (the sediment was on the side of a cliff so it wasn't someone's campfire unless they broke gravity.) Fig. E: Again, not sure. It feels like carbon but maybe with bark or something on it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The last few images I couldn't take home because they were too huge ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fern maybe: I found this in Renton WA by Green river. Carbonized Log Maybe: I found this streak of charcoal looking substance imbedded in a rock and I cant get it out but it is indeed deep in the rock. You can see on the side that it goes all the way through. Tukwila Maybe Plant: Probably the only fossil I found so far. I have my best bet on this one. No idea what it truly is. Dash Point Leaf?: At Dash point Tacoma Washington I found this chunk of clay with a deciduous looking leaf shape but I did not take it home with me. A lot of this clay had black splotches on it and it was probably only a coincidence. If you made it this far holy cow I'm sorry for just dumping but anything helps. THANK YOU!
-
I dont have a lot of room in my fossil/computer room,, so when I start to sell off some things,,,,,,,,,, they get in the way. Does anyone else have this problem? Its not a bad problem so maybe I should just quit complaining. or get a bigger room? RB
-
I just wanted to know what feilds I can work in in the future. I love picking up rocks and fossils, Is there some kind of mix between paleontology and geology? Could I make a living on this kind of job? I am hoping to study in austrailia some day.
-
This is the third of the rocks. They all came from the same area of the mountain. Look forward to hearing from you.
-
Hi everyone. I am completely inexperienced in this. I dont even know if I have actually found a fossil. I live in the Karoo and found the attached rocks on one of my mountain climbs. There seems to be a layer of this rock about halfway up and I am sure there are plenty more. If you can advise me. I apologise for the quality of the pictures and hope you can make them out. Thank you so much
-
Last October I visited Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop located in Evanston, Illinois and I put together a picture heavy post in the "Trip To the Museum" section of the Forum. At that time I took pics of a lot of great fossils from different locations and all time periods, if you have not seen that post, you should take a look at it, you would be hard pressed to find this quality of fossils in the largest institutions. Today I picked up my grandson and we drove the 14 miles from his house to Dave's. I usually use a scale cube when taking pics of my fossils, but decided to use my 5 year old grandson instead. As I stated above, Dave's is such a great store to purchase Rocks, Minerals and Fossils- but it also has a fantastic "Prehistoric Museum" in the basement. I have been to many Fossil Stores across the US and I have never been to one that can compare to Dave's or even come close. If you are ever in the Chicagoland area you need to stop by this place and I guarantee that you will leave drooling. I am going to break this picture heavy post into TWO sections. The First section will contain pictures of some of the best, if not the best, of what Mazon Creek concretions can hold. In this section you will also see THREE HOLOTYPE Mazon Creek Fossils- one after Dave, one after his father and the other after his mother. The Second section will pics of some of the fossils that are for sale at the store. MAZON CREEK- The first fossil that I will show is one that I personally found about 25 years ago while sitting on the ground near "Tipple Hill' at Pit 11. This is a rare fossil and the only Mazon Creek fossil that I have ever sold, I really wish that I never did, but it can now been seen but the countless people that visit Dave's. Here are the Three Holotype Fossils-
- 50 replies
-
- 9
-
-
- fossils
- mazon creek
- (and 1 more)
-
NEED HELP!!! Is This Just an Iron Concretion or A Preserved Fossil?
Kurufossils posted a topic in Fossil ID
Hello everyone, I am in desperate need of help with a huge debate I have been having with a friend over fossils preserved in ironstone concretions. From some of what I had read to some advice from other members I it possible to find vertebrate bone among shells and other mollusks preserved in an ironstone concretion. Whether it leaves a trace of the organism, morphs the organic material into the structure of the iron concretion through the decomposition with preserving, or whatever else it may be it seems to be possible. So recently I have hunted a place known to have recorded marine cretaceous shell and other mollusk found in ironstone concretion as well as cretaceous plants in shale, it seems like not to vast of enough study has been done there only from what I know, but since no vertebrate material had yet been discovered there though there can maybe be the possibility. I found these two particularly distinct pieces in iron concretions that exactly mimic the scute structure of soft shell turtle and croc in my opinion, I know how iron concretions are famous for leaving psuedofossils and such but these two pieces look way to exact and since its possible for shells and mollusks to preserve why not scutes? So I am here looking to end this debate, I'm looking for your opinion, can these be labeled as fossils, traces, etc? Or are these among some of the world's best iron concretions and nothing more. Your input especially if you are very experience in this subject would be tremendously appreciated.
- 19 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- concretion
- concretion fossil
- (and 24 more)
-
Hello! I happened across your site while searching for more information about fossils. I live in Florida but often visit relatives in Missouri. I've always liked to collect rocks that seemed interesting, but this year I brought home some neat fossils (maybe.) I look forward to posting in the ID forum to get some of your ideas.
-
Hello everyone, I need a little help identifying this rock. It was found somewhere in the Sahara Desert. It is very hard and leaves a beige streak on a steel file (might be the concretized dirt covering it). The polished window shows little black specks scattered around. There are also some tiny shiny specks which the camera doesn't capture. No discernable layers. It is non-magnetic. Measures around 3cm long (1 1/4"). I've never seen a rock like this before, would appreciate some help identifying it! Thanks, Jay
-
Dinosaur skulls on auction site.
Fossildude19 posted a topic in Is It Real? How to Recognize Fossil Fabrications
These beauties can be found on an auction site. Such reasonable prices, ... too..thumb.jpg.637720215d6ac98c5520a788ad911104.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.8e824b1d04bb0642e33cb3c85894a96b.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.66d3ad3a2e330c8e8a795692e9bcfe31.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.8899fd0d003a6c28eac255f7182c256e.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.31d097f5f5b7082cf4375682401090d7.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.df874460c2f2d8efff6c1cf895bd73b2.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.c96c717123b05a38f66bbf0de941ae80.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.fb8ff2bb04566b56ec3149fd5eb9df7c.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.f35d30b7c704b440e477d5b6ff6b6d68.jpg)
-
Since I've moved into my current house I have found all kinds of things on my property while collecting rocks to make a stone path through my woods. I have found old farm equipment parts, tools, and old glass bottles, and some interesting looking rocks. Hopefully I can get some things identified!
-
Hey everyone, This is my second post hopefully I can get some answers on these! I found these in a town called Tunkhannock in Northeastern Pennsylvania in part of a mountainous area. They were just in some shale I was breaking up. Any kind of research I’ve done says there’s really not much for fossils in that area. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance friends! 1 2 3
-
Hi y'all! I'm from North Carolina, USA. My interest in fossils is an expansion of my rock obsession! I have realized that I might be overlooking fossils in my rock explorations; I know I have overlooked Native American artifacts (until my spouse brought them to my attention)! I recently found a rock on my yard and began pondering whether it is a fossil. I will later post in the Identification Forum. I am looking forward to learning more about fossils!
-
Hi guys, I am not even sure if this is the correct place to ask, but lets give it a try. This past weekend I visited my hometown, Tampico in Mexico (right in the center of the Gulf of Mexico). It is a beach town, and it also has a big River that goes into the ocean so it has been a major port for many years. Recently the local governmet decided to do some maintenance on the beach promenade. A bunch of big rocks were moved from the Tamuin area (112 kms west from Tampico) and basically dumped along the promenade to contain the waves. The rocks have many shapes on their surface and different colors. I am extremely curious to find out what they are, but being an accountant I am absolutely clueless. If anyone knows what these are or can direct me to another forum where I could ask please please lemme know.
-
The person who owned my home before me left quite a rock collection around my yard. I seriously thought this was a cow patty when I first saw it. But upon closer examination it was just a weird, oyster shaped rock in a grey limestone like clay. It has shell casings around a few of the ridges and seems to have an oyster like shape. It also has small clear crystals that crust some of the ridges and crystalline matter mixed into the grey sludge clay its encased in. It weighs a lot, so I didn't think this was a fossil, but a friend who has more experience with fossils thinks its a fossil. I might upload some better pics later after I charge my camera.
-
Hey guys, I’m currently in Dallas for work and was walking home when I saw some weird rocks by the side of the path. Two of them put me in mind of coprolites, and one like a bit of bone or petrified wood. I’m very open to these being nothing, too. Any ideas? Thanks! Robbie
-
Over the past couple weeks I have seemed to find multiple variations of petrified wood. In this picture the top few pieces were all found in the same area and some of the smaller pieces that I found have little crystals throughout them (like the one in the top of this image). The piece I found on the bottom confuses me because it resembles wood but also has a mineral/rock look to it. I have read into agatized petrified wood but I still don't know much about that process. In the past I have found very large pieces of what I believed to be petrified wood but the majority of the piece resembled a crystal. Unfortunately I don't have those with me but will post a picture of them when I get home. Any info and help on the subject would be appreciated. Also sorry the picture posted weird. When i refer to the top I mean the right side of the image. Thanks, Nic
-
Hello, I found these rocks today around a rock outcrop area. Any idea what they are? Thanks in advance.
-
What fossils/geological things can be found in Northern Illinois?
ilovethebeatles posted a topic in Questions & Answers
Hello! I'm new to this website and I'm wondering what interesting geological things and fossils I can find in Northern Illinois. I'm new to geology and fossils so any tips/education would be welcome! Thanks!
.thumb.JPG.10b2a43ac4676929bbc34e83812fc84c.JPG)
.jpg.40fa27b5e58edce6f65ec2e9b7f3b7a6.jpg)
.jpg.6dfc414287bd716136a82cdaf2cd21dd.jpg)
.jpg.8a81b54d43b0896f48abfb49bec68727.jpg)
.jpg.82ad54299c8836247f0f371ce84adb4a.jpg)
.jpg.0496237d51f091ef606d6b19f009377b.jpg)
.jpg.f790c0a7f0151528e26c6dff6413e99c.jpg)
.jpg.082a5884a186ef14d5760b206fda5f7b.jpg)
.jpg.b8f363e25a1bedbfa2bf40c024b52f9c.jpg)
.jpg.2003430ecf68fae37558721ddff2e269.jpg)
.jpg.93be858462bf850d98b00bac43610238.jpg)
