Possible Fossil Land Mammal Tooth

[Ema Tzedakah]

Hello. This is my first post. I have little experience in fossils except perhaps an eye to notice they're not quite a rock. 

 

I "think" this is a fossil tooth. Found in Tennessee, USA, Mid-Ordovician area in general; at approx 1,100 altitude in the dry portion of a chronically drought stricken river. Partially mineralized and lying where 100-200+ old trees are. Their roots are exposed; fossil wood can't be ruled out.

 

I appreciate your thoughts. I'm a professional rock hound of 10 years with 60 years of accumulated knowledge. Science has sheets fascinated me; geology is involved in my life's work at this time. But I can't validate this!

 

I'm currently cleaning it to remove some of the calcite-concrete. It bubbles a little in a vinegar solution, but not much. 

 

Thank you in advance!

 

    

  

  

 

 

 

 

[Mahnmut]

Hello Ema Tzedakah and welcome to the forum.

I think I see what makes you think of a tooth, there are smooth layers on both sides an a more porous looking layer in between, somewhat reminiscent of eroded enamel.

Especially in the 3rd photo it looks like that. Still I fear those are layers of metamorphic rock that just give the impression of a tooth.The grain of the rock resembles biological structures like wood also, but it is a typical feature of many metamorphic rocks.

Sorry to disappoint, but I do not see a fossil here, just one of natures many works of art.

Best Regards,

J

Edited May 22, 2021 by Mahnmut
spelling

[Ema Tzedakah]

Hey that's a great answer that helps me finally wrap my brain around it. Others had said rock but dismissed that teeth can mineralize. Thank you did that response. You've increased my rock hound knowledge talent today! As well as fossil s.

[Fossildude19]

Teeth, even fossilized teeth, usually have enamel, and genuine tooth morphology, and bone textures to the roots. 

Yours is a decent mimic, but still, only a neat looking rock.  

[Daniel Fischer]

Is the size of it in inches or cm?

It looks like inches but it would be helpful to know

[Fossildude19]

1 hour ago, Daniel Fischer said:

Is the size of it in inches or cm?

It looks like inches but it would be helpful to know

Inches. You can tell by the markings.  

[Ema Tzedakah]

6 hours ago, Daniel Fischer said:

Is the size of it in inches or cm?

It looks like inches but it would be helpful to know

I do apologize, it was inches. I have no metric now. But I am satisfied this is rock and wire olmec to find it. I learned a lot with this find. It's stil a keeper to me!

18 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Teeth, even fossilized teeth, usually have enamel, and genuine tooth morphology, and bone textures to the roots. 

Yours is a decent mimic, but still, only a neat looking rock.  

It turned into an amazing lesson. Increased my rock knowledge and fossil knowledge. It's a keeper!! Tyvm