Possible pyritized tooth - Samphire Hoe, England, UK

[Alex E]

I'm really unsure if this is a fossil or a very oddly patterned pyrite fragment. It does bear some tooth structure to me, though no sign of any root structure per se that I can tell (with my limited knowledge). I've not been able to match it to anything readily.

 

Geo location: Samphire Hoe, Kent, UK

Site location: loose on foreshore

Geological strata: Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Grey Chalk subgroup

 

 

[Mahnmut]

Hi Alex,

I think what you have there is a segment of a marcasite nodule. Imagine the tip pointing to the center of a knobbly ball with a brown oxidation crust.

Those can contain small traces of gold and silver, but they can also "sweat" sulfuric acid, so keep it enclosed.

I like your profile pic.

Best Regards,

J

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcasite#/media/File:MarcasiteGeode.jpg

[Alex E]

Hah amazing, I do believe you're correct. What's more interesting is that I think I also found an intact marcasite nodule at the same location, I just had no idea the latter find would be part of a similar thing. Thank you for the warning about sulfuric acid, I will find a container for both for storage.