Clay man Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Hi I picked up this object which I believe to be some sort of tooth, while mudlarking in the Thames. Photos included. Does anyone knows what animal it may have belonged to? Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pterygotus Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Yes it is of a mammal, which from the pictures provided looks possibly fossilised . However, my strong point is not mammals so someone else probably can give a type for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 A bovid lower third molar (m3). 7 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pterygotus Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Possibly a horse or cow. Or maybe a bison. Sorry, just saw @Harry Pristis posted he’s most likely right . Edited February 10, 2020 by Pterygotus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 52 minutes ago, Harry Pristis said: A bovid Big enough to be aurochs ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 2 minutes ago, Rockwood said: Big enough to be aurochs ? Don't know, maybe... Good point... " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Keep in mind, the Thames was the garbage disposal for London and likely every other town along its path for centuries. It would be interesting to find out just how old of a tooth you have there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay man Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Some extra info, the tooth's crown length is 37 mm. It does not look like the sides have eroded to make it smaller than it actually is. There is also fossilised sediment not evident on the photos. Due to the blackness I would imagine it being quite old because as I have read, (depending on conditions) it can take a long time turn black. I am trying to research now what are good estimates for a tooth to turn black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Rico Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 13 minutes ago, Clay man said: Due to the blackness I would imagine it being quite old because as I have read, (depending on conditions) it can take a long time turn black. I am trying to research now what are good estimates for a tooth to turn black. If the conditions are right (in water with rotting plant material ) bone can turn colour very quickly . @caldigger did you do an experiment a few years ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Clay man said: the tooth's crown length is 37 mm. I think this may eliminate the aurochs idea. There could have been smaller individuals though. My sense is that it might be very old. Teeth are denser than bone and generally do take longer to darken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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