Mazon Creek Collection

[Runner64]

On 4/11/2021 at 3:11 PM, Runner64 said:

 

Very exciting, after reaching out to several professionals, this has turned out to be a new squid species. Red region is the tentacles and body outline in yellow. And cuttle bone preserved.

 

Edited January 2, 2022 by Runner64

[jdp]

Wow that's really exciting! Squid are pretty rare!

[deutscheben]

Holy cow! That is outstanding, what a great find. I hope it can get published. 

[Runner64]

I believe this is an Octomedusa due to the ‘X’ shape on the center of the bulbous body.

[connorp]

A new cephalopod, wow!! Congratulations.

[Runner64]

This piece has been identified as shark/chondrichthyan cartilage based on the surface structure of the fossil:

[deutscheben]

12 hours ago, Runner64 said:

This piece has been identified as shark/chondrichthyan cartilage based on the surface structure of the fossil:

Another nice find, and I really appreciate you posting this.
 

I have found a few examples of what has been IDed as cartilage in Pennsylvanian ironstone concretions, but I have not been able to find many photographic references, so I’m always happy to see more examples. 

[Runner64]

1 hour ago, deutscheben said:

Another nice find, and I really appreciate you posting this.
 

I have found a few examples of what has been IDed as cartilage in Pennsylvanian ironstone concretions, but I have not been able to find many photographic references, so I’m always happy to see more examples. 

Thanks! I actually used one of your old posts when looking for reference photos. I sent images of mine to Jack W. and he identified it as shark cartilage based on the first image I posted. There’s not much reference material out there to compare against.

[Mark Kmiecik]

Sweeeeeet squid!

 

The Octomedusa pieckorum is like one I have -- the cross is barely visible and the "tentacles" are non-existent.

[Runner64]

30 minutes ago, Mark Kmiecik said:

Sweeeeeet squid!

 

The Octomedusa pieckorum is like one I have -- the cross is barely visible and the "tentacles" are non-existent.

Thanks! Yes the octomedusa is quite faint and is missing the characteristic tentacles coming off but this is the first one I’ve found. Exciting but hopefully I can find one with a little bit better preservation!  

[Runner64]

First Mazon hunt for 2022 at Pit 11 on Saturday. Was a so-so day for me. I’ve had more productive and less productive days but hopefully can make at least one more tip out there in April or late March.

Here is one of the Essexela jellyfish I found open:

 

Likewise a partial fern:

 

Currently freezing this lot so fingers crossed some good fossils pop open!

[Mark Kmiecik]

Good luck on the new ones. Can't wait to see what goodies they contain.

[Runner64]

Here’s a shrimp molt that recently popped open:

 

And a jellyfish as well:

[Runner64]

Back out at Mazon this past weekend. Rain seemed to help erode some of the hillsides and exposed some concretions. Only had 2-3 hours to hunt but it was productive for the time frame.

First off, a huge Jellyfish that was found open. Unfortunately appears to be quite eroded but is one of the largest I’ve found:

 

Some unopened ones in the field:

 

Two had opened from a previous cycle. Nothing worse than having a nicely-shaped concretion break cleanly down the middle to expose nothing:

 

Found this strange thing opened. Quite worn but is it identifiable?

[Mark Kmiecik]

3 hours ago, Runner64 said:

 

I think it's plant debris -- at least I don't see any defining structure. But you know how bad my IDs can be, so wait for a few of the others to chime in. Like you said, it's quite worn. 

[Runner64]

2 hours ago, Mark Kmiecik said:

 

I think it's plant debris -- at least I don't see any defining structure. But you know how bad my IDs can be, so wait for a few of the others to chime in. Like you said, it's quite worn. 

Thanks Mark, I though plant debris as well but wasn’t sure.

 

Also washed this piece up from this past Saturday. Originally set it aside as a worn Essexela asherae. However, I’m starting to wonder if this could be a worn tully, an eye bar (red) and eye pigment (pink)? 

Edited April 4, 2022 by Runner64

[Mark Kmiecik]

54 minutes ago, Runner64 said:

 

Possible, but I'm thinking not probable. I would want it more defined before I could commit to Tully.

[Zapsalis]

On 1/7/2022 at 9:12 PM, Runner64 said:

This piece has been identified as shark/chondrichthyan cartilage based on the surface structure of the fossil:

That’s an amazing find! I would love to own a Carboniferous-age shark/chondrichthyan fossil one day.  

[Runner64]

2 hours ago, Zapsalis said:

That’s an amazing find! I would love to own a Carboniferous-age shark/chondrichthyan fossil one day.  

Thank you appreciate the kind comment!

[Runner64]

Had the opportunity to make it out to the ESCONI Braceville spoil pile trip this past weekend.  Tons of fun and a good opportunity to get out.  I am sure some TFF members made it out as well.

 

Image of the spoil pile

 

An image with 3 concretions in them:

 

3 more concretions after digging for them, and some old wood from the shaft mine this spoil mine comes from.  Some individuals found old nails and even an ox shoe which was very interesting.

 

An Essexella asherae

 

Possibly a negative impression of a Myalinella meeki

 

I believe a coprolite or bivalve?

 

Had these two, appear to be/have been something at one point.  If they are identifiable, would love some insight

 

Unknown 1 - Possible Essexella?

 

 

Unknown 2

 

Had one additional Essexella open but hopefully can start to crack some of these open soon!  Already have my first batch soaking.

Edited May 17, 2022 by Runner64

[deutscheben]

I agree that first unknown looks like Essexella.

 

I was at the dig on Sunday, my first time making it in 4 years! I look forward to seeing what pops out of your concretions. 

[Runner64]

18 minutes ago, deutscheben said:

I agree that first unknown looks like Essexella.

 

I was at the dig on Sunday, my first time making it in 4 years! I look forward to seeing what pops out of your concretions. 

Very cool!  Hope you had better weather than we did on Saturday, was hot and humid by afternoon.  This was my first time at the Braceville spoil pile, digging for them is much easier and more productive than wandering around the Mazonia South Unit.

 

Hope you get some nice finds!

Edited May 17, 2022 by Runner64

[Runner64]

Here is one that popped open from Pit 11 area.  Set it aside for a bit.  I am thinking a poor shrimp (Possibly Acanthotelson stimpsoni), anyone agree or disagree?

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by Runner64

[Mark Kmiecik]

18 hours ago, Runner64 said:

Here is one that popped open from Pit 11 area.  Set it aside for a bit.  I am thinking a poor shrimp (Possibly Acanthotelson stimpsoni), anyone agree or disagree?

 

Tough call on this one. I'm not getting a shrimp vibe from it. 

[Runner64]

On 5/18/2022 at 2:18 PM, Mark Kmiecik said:

 

Tough call on this one. I'm not getting a shrimp vibe from it. 

Thanks Mark.  I am still a bit stumped on this one & can't quite put an ID to it.  I will set it aside with a ? on it until it can be seen in person.