Strange Carboniferous Impression

[Bguild]

Hi There,

 

I was able to get out to one of my usual spots to split shale in search of Carboniferous plants. I came across this small, odd imprint. It doesn't look like any Carboniferous plant species I've come across and the venation looks more like that of an insect wing than a plant. That said, insect remnants haven't been found at this locality, but a very rare, very old insect was found nearby. Does anyone have a clue as to what this is? Is it oddly arranged plant pieces, or something else? Thanks!

 

Location: North Attleborough, Massachusetts

Formation: Rhode Island Formation

Age: Carboniferous (300 million)

 

 

[IsaacTheFossilMan]

Was it fully encased in the shale?

[Bguild]

12 minutes ago, IsaacTheFossilMan said:

Was it fully encased in the shale?

Yes, was on the corner or a piece I split. Wish I had a bigger piece of whatever this is.

[Fossildude19]

I think this may be part of a root mass. 

Cropped and contrasted:

 

   

[Rockwood]

1 hour ago, Bguild said:

odd imprint

I don't get the impression that this is an impression. Are you sure it isn't a flat septarian concretion ?

[Pagurus]

I don't think this is an insect wing, Barret. Interesting find, though. Tim's suggestion of a root mass seems like a good possibility. I'm glad you've been able to get out to your site.

 

Mike

[Bguild]

2 hours ago, Pagurus said:

I don't think this is an insect wing, Barret. Interesting find, though. Tim's suggestion of a root mass seems like a good possibility. I'm glad you've been able to get out to your site.

 

Mike

Great! Thanks for taking a look. Roots for all those plants laying around would make sense 

 

The weather up here was too amazing this past week, had to find a time to get out there!

[Lone Hunter]

Is it possible those are Chondrite trace fossils?

[westcoast]

11 hours ago, Rockwood said:

I don't get the impression that this is an impression. Are you sure it isn't a flat septarian concretion ?

Based on the photos i would agree that it looks more like inorganic mineral veins of the septarian kind however the almost 2D nature suggests mini 'cleats' that form in coalified fossil plants.

[Rockwood]

3 hours ago, westcoast said:

the almost 2D nature

Needs more exploration in my opinion.

[Fossildude19]

6 hours ago, Lone Hunter said:

Is it possible those are Chondrite trace fossils?

Not with the different coloring - the plants at this location have the same preservation as the famous St. Clair ferns. 

They are covered with pyrophyllite. 

 

I'm pretty sure this is plant material, and root mass makes the most sense to me here.