Nobby Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Hi all and Seasons Greetings I was wondering if you may be able to give me a clue as to what I found about 5 years ago on a beach in North Yorkshire....not too far away from the beautiful town of Whitby. I was mooching around the rocks at the bottom of the cliff when I came across a 'cluster' of 5 egg shaped stones....I removed just one of the 'eggs' and it now sits proudly on my desk. The flat area that can be seen in the first and second photos is where the item was resting against another in the cluster. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone Kind regards Bob........(Nobby) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tidgy's Dad Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Hello, and seasons greeting to you and yours. Unfortunately, that is a concretion and not an egg. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 Thank you for your very fast reply MotM.....I've read a little about concretions and see that they can be a bit of a mystery...so not the answer I was hoping for but at least I now know that I have a very old paperweight. Thanks again Bob....... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minnbuckeye Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 If I find something like that, the power of my rock hammer is brought down upon it. Wonderful things exist inside rocks like this. But don't hit it yet until more members have a chance to weigh in, just in case...... But agreement with Tidgy's Dad is likely. Also, let me COMMEND YOU on rapidly accepting the advice from The Fossil Forum in spite of your hopes being dashed with the concretion theory. In most posts like this by newcomers, they continue to endlessly argue their hopes against some very intelligent and educated members. Thanks for not putting us through that. With that said, don't be afraid to ask WHY if needed. For example, Adam said concretion without giving reason. I hope a real egg will come your way soon. And I hope to see other fossils from your area. Mike 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ludwigia Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Unless you really want to keep that concretion as it is, I'd give it a good whack on the side in the hopes that there's an ammonite in it. There are tons more of those things where it came from. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fossildude19 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Concretion LINK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 Thank you so much everyone for the replies and the most interesting links....I have thought a few times since finding my 'not really an egg' of giving it a thump with my hammer, however the uncertainty of what it actually is or was overtook the aggression and its been left in peace on my desk....BUT... now that I know that it has, for the past few years been telling me lies, I may just give it an investigative tap or two !! Again my thanks Regards Bob......... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Top Trilo Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 3 minutes ago, Nobby said: I may just give it an investigative tap or two ! If you do, Id be curious to see the inside. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 I'll be sure to post a photo... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LabRatKing Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I had a similar "cannon ball" on my desk for years...can't even remember where I found it. Rolled off and broke on the floor to reveal a crab! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardrockpaleo Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 If you crack it open and find something, keep us posted! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Well....the deed is done (in part anyway)....I've bashed my 'not really an egg' and I have to say that for its apparent age it really is a tough little blighter, and despite my threats of its potential total annihilation, it has so far wholeheartedly refused to break down the middle.......however after even more bashing (and the odd naughty word) shards did break off giving a bit of an insight as to what may be concealed within........this being, to my totally untrained eye, appears to be something akin to prehistoric mud !! I shall post a picture very soon in the hope that all may not be lost, and you guys will tell me that I now have a smashed 'not really an egg' which contains a very rare and valuable compound which sells to the cosmetics industry for £1000's per gram .......something like whale vomit !!!! Regards Bob........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ludwigia Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I hate to say this, but it looks like your concretion is a dud as far as fossil content is concerned. But never mind. This can happen to the best of us 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 I guessed as much....oh well I still have my paperweight I suppose, albeit somewhat battered, and the thought of what might have been......by the way, and I know its a long shot, but do you have any idea (very roughly) how old my prehistoric lump of mud is likely to be ? Bob....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DPS Ammonite Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Nobby said: If you crack enough concretions from a wide geographical area you will find something interesting whether it be a fossil, an agate or a geode. Too bad that there is no market for those giant white dilithium crystals in your piece. Edited December 23, 2020 by DPS Ammonite Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobby Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Dilithium crystals you say.......Hmmm maybe all is not lost. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/dilithium-crystals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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