Dino Coprolites or Geologic?

[MarcoSr]

I see on the web many deferent looking specimens being sold as Dino Coprolites.  From what I’ve read on the web, most of these specimens are thought to be purely geologic.  I was able to purchase 14 slabs labeled as Dino Coprolites from Utah for a very reasonable price so I bought them to see what I could see under a microscope.  Chemical analysis and analysis of thin sections are much better ways to approach this.  The individual pictures of the below 5 slabs (one is an end cut) were taken with the pieces wet and the close-up pictures taken with my microscope were taken with the pieces dry.  These slabs are unpolished which makes it more difficult to see clearly the inclusions and other features in the below pictures.  However, the pictures do show the vivid colors of different minerals and crystal structures on the surface of these pieces.  I’m not seeing inclusions that look like the remains of a dino meal.  However, there are some really interesting circular shapes in the pieces.  What do you see in the pictures?  Do you believe that any of these slabs could be dino coprolites?  I have 9 more of these slabs that I could take pictures of if there is any interest to see more examples.

 

Slab 10 (170 grams 4.75 inches x 3.25 inches x 5 to 8mm thick

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marco Sr.

[MarcoSr]

Slab 4 (175 grams 6 inches x 3.5 inches x 6mm thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slab 7 (120 grams 4.5 inches x 2.625 inches x 7mm thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marco Sr.

[MarcoSr]

Slab 8 (130 grams 4.375inches x 3.25 inches x 7mm thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

End Cut 9 (190 grams 3 inches x 2.75 inches x 1.25 inches thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marco Sr.

[Thomas.Dodson]

Cool stuff. I don't have the coprolite knowledge to hazard a guess what is geologic or not but it is very interesting. Maybe @GeschWhat would know what to look for in these?

[MarcoSr]

Two more slabs

 

Slab 5 (155 grams 4.25 inches x 4 inches x 6mm thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slab 14 (180 grams 4 inches x 3.5 inches x 7mm thick)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marco Sr.

[MarcoSr]

1 hour ago, Thomas.Dodson said:

Cool stuff. I don't have the coprolite knowledge to hazard a guess what is geologic or not but it is very interesting. Maybe @GeschWhat would know what to look for in these?

 

I find thousands of fish coprolites in marine matrix from Virginia so I know what to look for with fish.  But I really don't know what to look for with dinosaurs.

 

Marco Sr.

[Troodon]

I do see a lot of these sold online and at shows.  I recall a response from @GeschWhat on similar slabs from Utah saying that they appeared  to be jasper.  Very interested in her response to yours.  

 

[Fossilis Willis]

I am about as ignorant as they come, so take my input with a grain (or shaker) of salt. The circular patterns, especially on the first piece kind of remind me of the orbicular jasper found here on the WA coast. Like I said, probably way off base. Either way, they are pretty cool looking.

[MarcoSr]

3 hours ago, Troodon said:

I do see a lot of these sold online and at shows.  I recall a response from @GeschWhat on similar slabs from Utah saying that they appeared  to be jasper.  Very interested in her response to yours.  

 

 

I think that these pieces are geologic (jasper, agate and silica).  But a lot of pieces like these do get sold as dino coprolites.

 

Marco Sr.

[MarcoSr]

1 hour ago, Fossilis Willis said:

I am about as ignorant as they come, so take my input with a grain (or shaker) of salt. The circular patterns, especially on the first piece kind of remind me of the orbicular jasper found here on the WA coast. Like I said, probably way off base. Either way, they are pretty cool looking.

 

I really bought them because of the vivid colors and crystals.  I agree that there is definitely jasper in them.  The circular shapes are really cool.  I need to check out orbicular jasper.

 

Marco Sr. 

[MarcoSr]

Lori @GeschWhat

 

Do you have any comments on these specimens?

 

Marco Sr.