What is this

[Paleontology12345]

Hi all what could this possibly be. Found along a river bed in Canada. I think might be ivory because of the lines seen on the black side. Quite heavy,. Note the fossils in the growth lines on the totally flat/ smooth side. 

 

 

[Ludwigia]

Canada is a pretty big country. Exactly where did you find it?

[Fossildude19]

This doesn't look like ivory or tusk to me. 

More like a bivalve imprint.   

 

What is the size of this item? 

There is no scale in the pictures.   

[Paleontology12345]

What is a bivalve imprint?

 

[Paleontology12345]

19 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

This doesn't look like ivory or tusk to me. 

More like a bivalve imprint.   

 

What is the size of this item? 

There is no scale in the pictures.   

 

6 inches long.  And Muskoka Ontario location.

 

 

[Kane]

To my knowledge, the Muskoka area is mostly Canadian Shield, so generally too old for fossils.

[Paleontology12345]

It was found along a riverbed that drains from Algonquin park..I don't think it is a fossil...it is heavy , but when I tap it on something it sounds more like ivory ...not stone...and the lines on the black area look like ivory lines..

[Fossildude19]

The lines in the black look more like slickensides, to me. 

[Paleontology12345]

And it is way to heavy to be wood

[Fossildude19]

A bivalve imprint would be the impression of a clam type shell. 

 

This image looks slightly similar to a partial clam shell. 

 

[Paleontology12345]

[Paleontology12345]

The ridges seen on the black surface do not feel like scales such as slickenslides...

And when I compare the sound of tapping  this object on a stone ..it sounds more similar to the sound ivory tapped on stone makes, than stone on stone..

Note the growth lines..and the small fossils in the one section of growth.

[FranzBernhard]

Am I seeing some bubbles?

I am in the man-made camp. I don´t know, what it is, but I can remember having seen some remotely similar stuff here on TFF used as a filler(??) in a boat.

@Rockwood

Franz Bernhard

Edited May 24, 2021 by FranzBernhard

[daves64]

Growth lines or sedimentary layers?

[Fossildude19]

But the lack of Shreger lines, and the improbability of ivory being found in the area are strikes against this being ivory or tusk material. 

The vessicles or air bubbles certainly point to some sort of man made material, and cement or bondo might sound different that regular rock. 

It would also explain the odd textures on different sides. 

 

The cracking also looks like weathered resin product, to me. 

[Paleontology12345]

1 hour ago, Paleontology12345 said:

And it is way to heavy to be wood

What would explain the ridges on the black side..and the growth or sedimentary lines..and fossils formed in those layers..?? It is too heavy to be wood or plastic..

[Fossildude19]

Some sort of mortar/cement that was up against some textured surfaces could explain the ridges and apparent growth/sedimentary lines. 

And cement is heavier than wood. 

[Bran]

Maybe try applying heat with a small flame or hot needle? Looks like a chunk of sealant to me.

[Paleontology12345]

Red hot needle did not go into it..

[Lone Hunter]

If it's manmade why are there fossils in it?  Curious what is the thing that looks like a sliced onion?

[Paleontology12345]

I don't think it is man made..the fossils in it like the onion shape and the leaf shapes and growth lines...also hot needle did not penetrate it..

[Lone Hunter]

I know you think that, I was asking others to explain. 

[Fossildude19]

27 minutes ago, Paleontology12345 said:

I don't think it is man made..the fossils in it like the onion shape and the leaf shapes and growth lines...also hot needle did not penetrate it..

 

A hot needle would not penetrate cement. 

 

  

14 minutes ago, Lone Hunter said:

I know you think that, I was asking others to explain. 

 

I don't think they are fossils. 

They look like mineral staining to me. 

The item is most likely man made, due to the air holes/gas bubbles in it. 

 

 

[Kane]

I am not confident that those small blob-like features are fossils, but possibly artifacts of the manufacture of the piece, weathering, or a possible geologic process. 

[Thomas.Dodson]

I'm for the sealant/mortar/construction material theory. Aside from the bubbles I've also seen that sort of layering in construction byproducts before.