Is it a real fossil skull?

[Matt3030]

I am curious as to whether or not this is a fossilized animal skull. I found it in a section of woods in San Antonio TX that was a Paleo Indian camp thousands of years ago. I have found several Paleo Indian Points and tools also. Does anyone have any input concerning this piece?

 

 

 

[Lone Hunter]

No it isn't a skull, no bone texture or correct shape though it looks a little like a warped camel head. 

[Paleorunner]

I also see a rock with a curious and suggestive shape.

[digit]

6 hours ago, Matt3030 said:

I am curious as to whether or not this is a fossilized animal skull. I found it in a section of woods in San Antonio TX that was a Paleo Indian camp thousands of years ago. I have found several Paleo Indian Points and tools also. Does anyone have any input concerning this piece?

I am jealous that you have a location that produces Native American lithic artifacts. They are as interesting to find as a nice fossil and some folks live in areas where both can be found on the same hunt--quite often in Texas.

 

Your rock is quite suggestive and I'd definitely have stopped to pick it up and inspect it more. There are many shapes and features on your rock that can also be found on skulls (I work with the FLMNH and have seen and prepped many a skull). Unfortunately, those interesting features are not lined up in a way that suggests an actual piece of skull or jawbone--it seems to be simply a fascinatingly eroded chunk of limestone.

 

I used to live in South Florida where we had lots of limestone caprock very close to the surface--difficult to dig a hole to plant a tree without encountering some oddly eroded limestone. Pockets and holes can be eroded through limestone given differences in the density or silicification (silica content). The Florida caprock often had larger "pothole" cavities called solution holes which are caused by slight depressions accumulating leaf litter that releases tannic acid when they decompose which erodes the limestone. As the holes grow they accumulate more leaves which accelerates the process. Weathering limestone can produce some really fantastic shapes:

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=eroded+limestone+&tbm=isch

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[Matt3030]

Hello Ken I thank you for sharing your knowledge on the subject. It certainly sounds logical. I have alot to learn concerning fossils and stones. I have attached a few pictures of some of the tools and points that I have found in the camp. It sounds like you are someone who would be interested in viewing them. 

 

 

 

 

[Lone Hunter]

Wow! I'm jealous too, you got some interesting and really nice pieces!

[digit]

There are some killer points there--I'm quite envious.

 

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken