Stromatolites

[lewcharles1]

Hi, I'm in Morocco and I read a couple of posts about the ambivalence of stromatolites. I bought one of the ones which appears not to be and resembles a desert rose, but I also went out back with a seller and spotted what I believe to be a genuine one. Any thoughts?

[Tidgy's Dad]

Where in Morocco? It's quite a big place.

It looks good to me. 

[lewcharles1]

I bought it just outside Erfoud, not far from Rissani.

[lewcharles1]

If it is, I have you guys to thank for a very speedy education. I've been contemplating buying a stromatolite from Australia - considerably older of course - so would be chuffed if it was.

[Tidgy's Dad]

1 hour ago, lewcharles1 said:

I bought it just outside Erfoud, not far from Rissani.

Erfoud is the main fossil preparation and marketing centre for Moroccan fossils. If they didn't tell you where it originated it could be several places. 

I would guess that it come from the late Precambrian of a huge stromatolitic reef near Ouarzazate. About 600 mya.  

[lewcharles1]

He didn't know what it was. He was trying to sell me the desert rose type thing as a stromatolite. I tried to tell him this looked more like one. It was literally in a pile of rocks out the back of his shop amongst other bits and bobs, like the desert stones. I gave him a 100 dirhams, he was extremely happy about it.

[Tidgy's Dad]

1 hour ago, lewcharles1 said:

He didn't know what it was. He was trying to sell me the desert rose type thing as a stromatolite. I tried to tell him this looked more like one. It was literally in a pile of rocks out the back of his shop amongst other bits and bobs, like the desert stones. I gave him a 100 dirhams, he was extremely happy about it.

Good price for you, even for one of the not actually a stromatolites. 

That's about $10, folks. 

Dealers are selling here for far less than usual because there aren't any tourists. 

They need a few dirham to buy food for the family. 

[EscarpmentMary]

This seems like a good place to add these photos, just outside my front door. I bought these rocks about 25 years ago from a local quarry, because I liked them and I have a patient husband who picked them up in his truck and placed them for me. I believe they are Oncolites, similar to stromatolites. Can not remember what I paid for them but it was enough with four kids!

[lewcharles1]

6 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Good price for you, even for one of the not actually a stromatolites. 

That's about $10, folks. 

Dealers are selling here for far less than usual because there aren't any tourists. 

They need a few dirham to buy food for the family. 

There was no bargaining, like in usual times. He asked for 100 and I gave it to him. Likewise the fella in the previous shop sold me the not-strom for 200. Very hard to bargain at the moment with times being what they are. We're over tipping everywhere - for right or wrong

 

[JohnJ]

Respectfully, per our guidelines, please avoid discussions about prices.  Thanks.

[Wrangellian]

11 hours ago, EscarpmentMary said:

This seems like a good place to add these photos, just outside my front door. I bought these rocks about 25 years ago from a local quarry, because I liked them and I have a patient husband who picked them up in his truck and placed them for me. I believe they are Oncolites, similar to stromatolites. Can not remember what I paid for them but it was enough with four kids!

I'm not sure but these just look like blocks of sedimentary rock with irregular erosion on the top surface, sorry to say. 

[EscarpmentMary]

Darn I can never get this right!