Devonian, Carboniferous, quartz, limestone

[Leena Nevalainen-Smith]

I have this big and heavy chunk of rock, found lying on the riverbed of lots of loose rocks, with almost every rock having some sort of fossil in them. My rock stands out from the general rock population. It has lots of quartz, some kind of shells, yellow sand in holes and crevises, and some articulated small bone looking things. At close look you see interesting textures. At first I imagined I was seeing some starfish and coral, but I can't make it out. I am a total amateur with just a pile of books and the internet. Anyone?

[Kane]

The layers are possibly indicative of a high energy marine environment. The longer lines seem to be brachiopods in cross section, likely interspersed with other marine fauna such as bryozoans. The grains may be suggestive of a sandier environment (tidal wash). 

[Leena Nevalainen-Smith]

Thank you Kane. I will study it with all that in mind.