Almost micro

[RuMert]

Hi everyone!

Oxfordian again This time it's the turn of small shells from Peski Quarry, located some 80 km south-east of Moscow. It's something like the Moscow region's Jurassic gastropod heaven. For some geologic reasons, ammonites do not get preserved there while little gastropods and bivalves do. It's also the only place dinosaurs were found in the Moscow region. As of today the continental sediments are depleted, but the marine ones are stil abundant. The quarry extracts Carboniferous limestone, removing Callovian marl and Oxfordian clay. The clay is then discharged in open piles - small shells of exceptional quality are washed up during rains. Below are pictures from two trips: one in winter (with snow) and one recently.

 

To get to the Jurassic part of the quarry fastest you have to go through woods along a small river:

[RuMert]

Beavers again Looks like beavers are somehow associated with fossil hunting

[RuMert]

The quarry:

[RuMert]

The shells are found on the black piles' surface:

 

And you will be looking like this because they are very small

[RuMert]

Some shells in situ:

[RuMert]

Belemnites are easier to spot

[RuMert]

As are some larger gastropods

[RuMert]

But most finds are tiny and all fit into a little fisherman's box. That's all I found in 6 hrs

[RuMert]

Of various gastropod species...

 

...Cryptaulax is the most numerous

[RuMert]

Second most widespread gastropod is Clathrobaculus.

 

Bathrotomaria is the biggest and the most sought after. Here the inner nacre layer is visible, of pinkish tones

[digit]

Thanks again for taking us vicariously on a fossil hunting trip to a place most of us will never get to visit in person.

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[sharkdoctor]

As usual, a lovely tale with great site pics and finds. Thanks for taking the time to create such a great thread!

 

[RuMert]

@digit @sharkdoctor Thanks, not all yet

 

These are various species of bivalves with well-preserved shells, especially on the inside. They are exceptionally tough and robust unlike the ones you usually find in Jurassic clay

[RuMert]

Weird belemnites (Hibolithes spp.):

[RuMert]

And some other stuff including tusk shells, crinoids and brachiopods. Ammonites are unusually scarse and almost non-existent.

 

But I did manage to find one, albeit as everything else, very small

[RuMert]

Thanks for reading!

[Ludwigia]

That bathrotomaria may be relatively small, but the preservation is spectacular.

[RuMert]

Thanks! Bathrotomaria is a giant there Everything is of great preservation despite being 160 m.y. old. Pity I lack a macro lens to show you all the beauty

[FossilNerd]

My goodness @RuMert! Nice finds and great report as usual. Thanks for taking us along. Love the Bathrotomaria!  

[Fossildude19]

Excellent report and wonderful finds! 

Thank you for posting this field trip!  

[JamieLynn]

Nice to get to see  some fossils and nature from the other side of the globe! Thanks! 

[RuMert]

Thank you all

[Tidgy's Dad]

Lovely report and photos. 

Adore those weird belemnites. 

Thanks for sharing. 

[The Amateur Paleontologist]

Beautiful report  Looks like a nice place to hunt, and you found some really cool fossils! I love especially the gastropods that still have a bit of 'nacre' on them

[RuMert]

Thanks a lot, friends