Bmart Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 Hello, I am currently on a cross country road trip with my family. Yesterday I was jogging through the desert Near Carlsbad , New Mexico and discovered what is obviously a bone but seems to be fossilized. It feels more like stone than a bone. I was curios If anyone knows what it could potentially be. I am a Middle School History teacher from NJ and would love to use it in my classroom if I had more information. Thank you in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 Dimensions? 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Cole Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 Looks like an equus proximal phalanx to me. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val horn Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 It is bone, i wonder if it is fossilized. Have you tested to see if it burns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Cole Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 Compare to this thread for reference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmart Posted July 25, 2022 Author Share Posted July 25, 2022 It is about 5-6 inches in length....How do I determine if it is fossilized or just bone. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val horn Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 fossils do not burn while non fossilized bone will burn and smell like burned hair if exposed to a flame- ie stove burner or a red hot needle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 A 'burn test' or 'match test' will indicate only whether there is collagen remaining in a bone -- scorched collagen has an awful smell. Briefly apply an open flame (I prefer a butane lighter) to an inconspicuous area of the object . . . you cannot keep a pin hot enough long enough to scorch collagen. Tooth enamel contains hydroxyapatite, but doesn't contain collagen, so the 'burn test' on tooth enamel would be a waste of time. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slow Walker Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 Old bone or beginning of fossilizing is what I see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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