Timmy Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 I found this while walking on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. What is this? To me it looks like some kind of wasp/bee nest that's fossilized with crystals. In the pictures you can't see this thing sparkle, but it seriously sparkles like crazy. Also, one side clearly has hexagon shapes. I doubt if I lick it, I'll taste something sweet. I read online that fossilized honeycombs are rarer than meteorites. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 It's coral.... Very beautiful Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Looks like colonial coral. Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleoRon Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Nice coral. Most of the coral from up that way that I have seen is a shade of gray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Oh, just found this, the colonial coral found there is called something else.. pretty cool here Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 The State Fossil of Michigan "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossil fury Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Sparkle or not it's a beaut. “There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” -Ronald Reagan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarodactyl Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 I'd guess genus Favosites, based on both the side and top views, though of course I'm no expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hey guys I found this same fossil on a YouTube video Go to 4:31 in the video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Here's a coral colony in cross-section for comparison: 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...
JimB88 Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Coral in chert is always neat. You have a good specimen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaffer2 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I found this fossil 45 years ago, in a large creek bed in western up-state NY. I thought it was a fossilized honeycomb at age 8, but after seeing pics and video on this topic, I think it's probably a type of coral. So, can people give me their opinions of what this actually is. if possible age, type, or anything else you think I'd want to know about it? It weights eight pounds, measures approx. 8" long, 6.5" deep, and 5" high. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Yep - that sure looks like a favositid coral, too, Gaffer2. And as for the rarity of fossil honeycombs, they are MUCH rarer than meteorites! In fact, I know of a SINGLE example: From Batu Caves, Malaysia. It is believed to be Pleistocene in age, or older, and is identified as belonging to the genus Apis, which includes all of todays honeybees. The wax structure has been replicated in calcite. Edited January 24, 2014 by Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lissa318 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Nice piece of coral! Love the color! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Yep - that sure looks like a favositid coral, too, Gaffer2. And as for the rarity of fossil honeycombs, they are MUCH rarer than meteorites! In fact, I know of a SINGLE example: From Batu Caves, Malaysia. It is believed to be Pleistocene in age, or older, and is identified as belonging to the genus Apis, which includes all of todays honeybees. The wax structure has been replicated in calcite. Just a pedantic here Isn't this technically an ichnofossil ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethk Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Favosite coral, known also as "Honeycomb coral", for obvious reasons. Quite common in the Paleozoic strata around the Great Lakes. Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Favosite coral, known also as "Honeycomb coral", for obvious reasons. Quite common in the Paleozoic strata around the Great Lakes. Very nice! true. nice coral. "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Absolutely an ichnofossil! Pedantry always welcome! Just a pedantic here Isn't this technically an ichnofossil ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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