ziggycardon Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Hi everyone! Yesterday my girlfriend & I went on a fossil hunting trip to an abandoned quarry in Resteigne in Belgium. https://www.paleontica.org/sites/fossil_site.php?plaats=10&language=en I am currently at home for some time due to mental health issues. I am currently dealing with despression and severe anxiety attacks all related to COVID-19, I am in a risk group and work in an essential store and the stress and way that people threat you finally became too much and I simply snapped. I finally decided to go see a doctor and a psychologist to help out of it all. Since besides going to work I hadn't left the house for the past 6 months and I really needed to get out to help me get rid of the stress and fear, so both the psychologist and doctor encouraged my to go on some fossilhunts as I needed to come out of the house and do some outdoor activities to help with my healing process. So yesterday I went on my first hunt to help me recover! The quarry we visited was an abandoned quarry in Resteigne and the rocks found there are Devonian in age. Most of the fossils found here are from the Eifelian (393.3 - 387.7 mya) and are part of the Jemelle formation. We arrived quite early at the quarry and spent almost 5 and a half hours searching for fossils here. Since we went on a normal week day, we were lucky enough the have the quarry all to our self! Since it was our first time in the quarry we didn't really find anything too spectacular, but I am very happy with the things we found and most important of all, we had a great and fun day! The surrounding environment was stunning and the weather was prefect, sunny but not too hot and not too cold! Ruguse coral in the rocks Only 15 minutes after we arrived we already found our first trilobite! Unfortunatly it was enbedded in a big boulder of very though rock at an impossible angle to remove. We did try to remove it, but when we noticed it would be near impossible and removing it would probably destroy the trilo we eventually decided to leave it. There where multiple other fossils in the same boulder, among them these nice Brachiopods 13 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMert Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Nice scenery, glad you were finally able to get out But how do you work in a store without leaving the house? My sites & reports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpa Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Get well my friend and know that you have friends who care about you and your well-being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 18, 2020 Author Share Posted September 18, 2020 As can be seen, the quarry is very scenic. Walking on top of the remains of Devonian coral reefs Some nice corals While there were multiple types of rocks in the quarry, most of it was shale which was quite easy to work with. At certain places the floor of the quarry was simply littered with loose and broken pieces of shale, some of which were sometimes rich with fossils. A nice piece of coral I managed to remove from the rocks to take home with! One of the cooler things I encountered was this huge rock with a large coral in it! Though it was a little bit to heavy to bring home with us Some of you might know that besides fossils, my real passion is Herpetology. I work with reptiles both as a hobby and as a job. So another cool discovery we did was the dried out corpse of a snake (grass snake - Natrix natrix would be my best guess), the first time I encountered a native snake or at least was left of one. Besides the snake we also encountered lots of living common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) but they were too quick for the camera. 1 hour ago, RuMert said: Nice scenery, glad you were finally able to get out But how do you work in a store without leaving the house? Thank you! Yes, I guess I should have been more complete in my choice of phrasing. But I didn't leave the house in the past 6 month except for going to work and to the doctor, that's why I crashed. I was living so carefully in my private life, avoiding contact with people, only to be tossed before the lions every day I had to go to work. 7 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Thanks for your openness. By the sound of your report, I would say that you are well on your way to recovery. I've had to deal with depression in the past. And I've also been to Resteigne Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 18, 2020 Author Share Posted September 18, 2020 And here is the loot we managed to bring home! Nothing too special, but there are some pieces I am quite happy with. We mainly found brachiopods, crinoid stems, corals and some Bryzoans and a few trilobite remains and imprints, maybe a piece of nautiliod but I haven't had the time to go though the material when we went home. I'll go though the stuff in the coming days and I will ofcourse post them here as well But since I'll go on another hunt tomorrow, to the quarry in Couvin with the paleo club, so it will have to wait another day. Ofcourse I will make a post of that hunting trip as well. The only decent piece of Trilobite we managed to bring home with us. I know it isn't much and it isn't greatly preserved, kinda only the shape of it which is left in the rock. But I am very happy with it, the first ever trilobite you find feels always a bit like a milestone A clear imprint of a trilobite pygidium. A nice block with multiple brachiopods. Spinatrypa sp. A bryozoan Crinoïd bits, brachiopods and coral 8 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 It's always nice to get out. Some decent finds too. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Looks like just what the doctor ordered. The quarry looks like a nice, peaceful place to hunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Nothing like a good fossil hunt to lift the spirits! I know the few I hunts I been on have helped me get through these crazy times. Great finds as well! Congrats on your first trilobite! The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 22 hours ago, grandpa said: Get well my friend and know that you have friends who care about you and your well-being. Thank you very much Going out in nature does seem to help give me peace in my head 22 hours ago, Ludwigia said: Thanks for your openness. By the sound of your report, I would say that you are well on your way to recovery. I've had to deal with depression in the past. And I've also been to Resteigne Thank you! This is the second time I experience a severe depression, the time was about 10 years ago when I went to highschool. The thing that got met back on my feet in the time was starting with a new hobby which was back then starting with keeping terraria (I already had a few, but that depression was the point that really kicked off that hobby) which was my big passion at the time and still is. Although keeping terraria shifted more from being a hobby into my professional life since I do it as a job So I guess starting going out for more fossilhunts might work in the same way as starting with keeping reptiles back then did. I hope that you did find some nice fossils as well during your trip to Resteigne! 22 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: It's always nice to get out. Some decent finds too. Yes it is! Really did do me some good I'll probably have my hands full with going though it all, especially since I came home today from the quarry of Couvin with more fossils I bet that you'll love some of the Brachiopods we brought home from both Resteigne and Couvin! I'll try to make some decent photo's from them as soon as they are cleaned and prepped out (If I can prep them out ofcourse). 18 hours ago, connorp said: Looks like just what the doctor ordered. The quarry looks like a nice, peaceful place to hunt. Yes indeed, yesterday I had to revisit the doctor for an reevaluation and while I still have to stay home for at least a month, she was very enthousiatic that I took the step to go on my first fossil hunt since COVID. 17 hours ago, FossilNerd said: Nothing like a good fossil hunt to lift the spirits! I know the few I hunts I been on have helped me get through these crazy times. Great finds as well! Congrats on your first trilobite! Thank you! I am indeed very happy with the trilobite! Today in Couvin I was lucky enough to find another trilobite pygidium, but a lot better preserved than this one! 1 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 hour ago, ziggycardon said: Yes it is! Really did do me some good I'll probably have my hands full with going though it all, especially since I came home today from the quarry of Couvin with more fossils I bet that you'll love some of the Brachiopods we brought home from both Resteigne and Couvin! I'll try to make some decent photo's from them as soon as they are cleaned and prepped out (If I can prep them out ofcourse). Thank you! I would love to see them, of course. Good luck with the prepping and I look forward to seeing your Couvin finds. 2 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 hour ago, ziggycardon said: Thank you! I am indeed very happy with the trilobite! Today in Couvin I was lucky enough to find another trilobite pygidium, but a lot better preserved than this one! Nice! Can't wait to see your Couvin finds. 1 hour ago, Tidgy's Dad said: Thank you! I would love to see them, of course. Good luck with the prepping and I look forward to seeing your Couvin finds. EDIT: I just saw that you posted the Couvin trip report. Off I go to drool over you finds! 2 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 2 hours ago, ziggycardon said: I hope that you did find some nice fossils as well during your trip to Resteigne! As a matter of fact, I did I also cut and polished some of the corals. Here are a few samples. 5 Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everhardus Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 This summer i was near Barvaux for a week. Fossils can be found quite easy there. It should not be too far from where you live i guess. Just give me a PM and i can give you some directions in case you are interested. Good luck on your recovery ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 17 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: Thank you! I would love to see them, of course. Good luck with the prepping and I look forward to seeing your Couvin finds. The first photo's will follow soon! I have just photographed the first bunch of items from Resteigne and I am currently rescaling them so I can upload them to the forum. I'll probably also start a separate topic in the ID section of the forum as I am not entirely within my element to ID certain pieces, especially the corals. 14 hours ago, Ludwigia said: As a matter of fact, I did I also cut and polished some of the corals. Here are a few samples. Very nice finds, I always love the details on corals once they are polished! My girlfriend has some polishing equipments and she was thinking on cutting and polishing some of the finds as well 10 hours ago, Everhardus said: This summer i was near Barvaux for a week. Fossils can be found quite easy there. It should not be too far from where you live i guess. Just give me a PM and i can give you some directions in case you are interested. Good luck on your recovery ! Thank you, it is indeed only a 1 hour drive away. I normally planned on visiting Barvaux on the same day as we went to resteigne but we ended up spending a lot more time in this quarry than anticipated leaving no time to stop at Barvaux So I have planned a visit to Barvaux and Marche-en-Famenne somewhere in the next few weeks 1 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Here are some more detailed photographs of some of the finds from Resteigne. The first one in probably my favorite find of the day, which is the block with the Trilobite Pygidium. But besides the Trilo, the block also includes some Brachiopods and some kind of minerals (Pyrite?). The Trilobite pygidium Spinatrypa sp. Brachiopod (not sure on the species yet) One of my other favorite finds is the block of Devonian sea floor with many Brachiopods, Crinoïd stems & Bryozoans. I know some of the Brachiopods are definiatly Spinatrypa sp. but I don't know about the others. Some Spinatrypa sp. 4 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 A lovely piece of Calcite found by my girlfriend My guess is that this is what remains of a Goniatite. Pity it is only a fragment as I don't believe we found any other Cephalopod material during our trips to both Resteigne & Couvin. Although it could also be a gastropod as I don't see the typical whirls that one would expect on Goniatites. Most (but not all) of the Crinoïd stems we found. I'll have to do some research as to what species occurred at this location. And then here comes the first wave of Corals & Bryozoans we found. A nice Bryozoan One of my favorite pieces we found during the trip, a large coral. Although I am still unsure about the species. I doubt it is Hexagonaria, but it could perhaps be Favosites? A coral, perhaps Thamnopora? 3 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 This is a large last minute find I made before we left. The rock seems to contain quite a large piece of Solitary Rugose Corals and another 2nd piece deeper in the rock as well as bits of Thamnopora. There are some Brachiopods, Crinoïds and perhaps other corals in there as well but I am a bit conflicted about the piece as is very cool with great items enbedded in the rock, but I am a bit fearfull of prepping it as the rock seems pretty though. I am a bit doubtfull between coral or Bryozoan, although I personally lean more towards Bryozoan Multiple coral pieces A pretty detailed piece of coral which is suspect might be Thamnopora as well. 4 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 A piece of Calceola sandalina A piece of coral This weird thing which I suspect might be coral as the structure is very different to the surrounding rock. 4 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Some cross sections corals, perhaps Columnaria sp. or just some rugose coral. And some more Brachiopods! Sieberella sp.? One of the favorite Brachiopods I found. Don't know which species though. Spinatrypa sp. Brachiopod Brachiopod, perhaps Sieberella sp.? Crinoïd stem & Spinatrypa sp. Brachiopod 4 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 And even more Brachiopods Spinatrypa sp. Brachiopod Sieberella sp. Brachiopods Sieberella sp. Sieberella sp. Multiple brachiopods Brachiopod Brachiopods Spinatrypa sp. And another mystery find which again I don't really dare to prep as I don't know what it is. 2 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Very nice haul indeed. Some lovely corals and bryozoa, but the brachiopods are a delight. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggycardon Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 21 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: Very nice haul indeed. Some lovely corals and bryozoa, but the brachiopods are a delight. Thank you! I am really happy with some of the specimens we found, especially the brachiopods! So far removing some of the brachiopods from stone proved successful. While splitting larger block some nice new ones appeared. And I think there is quite a big and hopefully intact Sieberella sp. in a block of rock. I hope I'll be able to release from its stone prison. 1 Interested in all things paleontology, geology, zoology, evolution, natural history and science! Professional exotic pet keeper, huge fantasy geek, explorer of the microfossil realm, member of the BVP (Belgian Association for Paleontology), Volunteer prepper at Oertijdmuseum Boxtel. View my collection topic here: The Growing Collection of Ziggycardon My animal collection at the "Members pet" topic Ziggycardon's exploration of the microfossil realm Trips to Eben Emael (Maastrichtian of Belgium) My latest fossil hunt Next project will be a dedicated prepping space. "A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." - Tyrion Lannister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manticocerasman Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Glad to see you had a nice day and of course al those nice finds. The item you refer to as a goniatite is probably a gastropod in my opinion, on this kind of preservetion you should have visible suture lines if it was a cephalopod. The item on your last picture is also a part of a gastropod, one of the family of the Euomphalidae . 1 growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 What a great haul of fossils! Congrats on finding all of those goodies, and congrats especially on finding your first trilobite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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