Jump to content

Possible Fossils in Creek Bank; Colorado USA


LurkingGargoyle

Recommended Posts

Sorry, I hope this isn't making multiple posts. I'm having trouble submitting (I was previously pasting images inline instead of using the "choose files" function).

We were exploring a creek outside of Denver, Colorado USA. There was a newly exposed bank about 2.5 meters (8 ft) high. At the bottom was about 1/2 meter (2 ft) of grey clay. We pulled a large clump of clay out and dissolved it in the water. Inside were two possible fossils. We have no idea what we're looking at and have zero experience identifying fossils. Any help is appreciated.

Item #1:
This looks like a bone, we're not even sure if it is fossilized. It is light, not heavy like a rock; I don't know how significant this is. The shape is odd; it's not like a long bone. There is a flat part on one side and a smooth groove on the other side. The "marrow" is exposed which makes me think it is worn/broken. Is it even possible to preserve the trabeculae like this as a fossil?  Its dimensions are about 7 x 6 x 5 cm.

Item #2:
This feels heavy like a rock but it has a shape and texture that seemed like fossilized wood. Again, we have no experience identifying these things.

Photos:
These photos were taken over a 1 cm x 1 cm grid.

 

Item #1:

The flat part is on the right, groove is on the left.
Photo 1:

Capture.JPG.afa4894c55e1a68a32766052b919415a.JPG


Photo 2: rotated 90 degrees away from the viewer (compared with the first)

Capture2.JPG.75ac4660a96b09d73e742d47eb9c09f2.JPG


Photo 3: rotated 180 degrees away from the viewer (compared with the first)

Capture3.JPG.93a94d743050014ae43ec3648558113a.JPG


Photo 4: rotated 270 degrees away from the viewer (compared with the first)

Capture4.JPG.f3ce50acf9181d0b029028fbc328d62c.JPG


Photo 5: Groove on left

Capture5.JPG.9c2e7d1b7aca1084cb4e3c3781f7010d.JPG


Photo 6: Close up of the trabeculae on the back side of the flat part on the right

Capture6.JPG.37a51fcd37c82f4cd3390b4a0cf97eb2.JPG

 


Item #2:

Photo 1:

Capture7.JPG.3d0804fc57969a07631c4c8f615a45ac.JPG


Photo 2: close up, right side

Capture8.JPG.3493e67f30496ff58978319a098dfb5d.JPG


Photo 3: close up left side

Capture9.JPG.941ac36d89ac8e060000134946007a20.JPG


Photo 4: rotated 180 degrees away from the viewer

Capture10.JPG.311e0f2273ce6ddd776cd9db509cea31.JPG

 


Thank you for your help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First one is bone, you can try the burn test to see if it's fossil, hold a flame to it if it smells nasty it's modern.  Second one is hard to tell from pictures, doesn't appear to be wood, more sedimentary I think.

  • I Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I imagine the bone is modern, or at best Pleistocene.  Fossil bones from the Denver area will look more fossilized.  It might be a piece of vertebra.  

  • I Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A second test is the tap test. Tap it lightly with something like a spoon or butter knife. A mineralized fossil will make a distinctively higher pitched sound. The fly in that ointment could be that Pleistocene possibility though. Both tests will help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all for replying. It does sound more like a tap than a ting when hit with metal. I'll have to decide if I should break a piece off to burn it for another test. I like the suggestion that it could be a vertebra. I'll do more research and report back if I ever come to a conclusion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't have to break off a peice, it's not like it will catch fire, just 10 sec with flame on tip, it won't even turn black if it's fossil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...