Indy Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 They look like some marcassite nodules. Did you find them in some limestone ? Coco These old eyes don't see dinosaur coprolite and agree these specimens appear to be nodules Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AiyanaCaposewa Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 You are so right Auspex a female novice of only 6 years and no PHD in anything I should really know my place ...I will from now on I think take my finds to macquarie university apparently nothing I put on here is a fossil ....I feel like Im intruding on a male dominated site and I find not many are knowledgeable in regards to Australian regions or geology....I have been a gold and gem fossicker for over 20 years but only started on fossils 6 years ago. I have met a few helpful fellow treasure hunters here but when one of the higher more experienced fellows make a comment the rest of you refuse to disagree with that member , like your stepping on toes if you dont agree...I will look around for a more aussie site where people are more down to earth and know the geology and history...our jurasic history is way different to most of the rest of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Sorry you feel that way . In all honesty, I do not see where you have been mistreated; the opinions you solicited have been freely and respectfully offered. I am sorry that you are disappointed with the results of our efforts. You should by all means take your specimens to a museum with experience in the fossils of your area. "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...
Indy Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 (edited) You should by all means take your specimens to a museum with experience in the fossils of your area. I agree...They should be able to provide identification and professional references Looking forward to hearing what the authorities say and their references Edited December 19, 2011 by Indy Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveHunter Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Just an observation from an even more inexperienced fossil collector...I've been slabbing rocks for 20+ years and would think that a simple cut of the rock would answer the question. I've made dozens of arrowheads from Coprolite and the inside of the "rock" it is very distinctive; not at all like an iron deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AiyanaCaposewa Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Just an observation from an even more inexperienced fossil collector...I've been slabbing rocks for 20+ years and would think that a simple cut of the rock would answer the question. I've made dozens of arrowheads from Coprolite and the inside of the "rock" it is very distinctive; not at all like an iron deposit. Thanks Primitive Hunter...I think the issue is that here in Australia fossils are a little different I must admit I have found coprolite that looks exactly the same as this piece in question, but not a slab as large as this. So what should I look for inside the slab ? And also I dont feel mistreated just some of the messages I have gotten is like I probably shouldnt be here..and as I said if a palentologist says this specimen is sugar no one seems game to say its really salt or come up with any other idea or suggestion..just an honest observation thats all.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveHunter Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Thanks Primitive Hunter...I think the issue is that here in Australia fossils are a little different I must admit I have found coprolite that looks exactly the same as this piece in question, but not a slab as large as this. So what should I look for inside the slab ? And also I dont feel mistreated just some of the messages I have gotten is like I probably shouldnt be here..and as I said if a palentologist says this specimen is sugar no one seems game to say its really salt or come up with any other idea or suggestion..just an honest observation thats all.. These are what the typical slabs look like that I have cut. Obviously, it comes in a myriad of colors. All of it I've bought has had a "window" cut into it to prove what it is but they've all looked pretty much like the picture you show of your large collection. To the best of my knowledge, all the Coprolite I've dealt with has come from North America so I wouldn't dream to opine how it may appear in other places. But...I figure it all probably shows some of the same characteristics on the inside. The diets may have been different but the results are the same "stuff". The only Aussie rocks I've handled are Mookaite Jasper and Crazy Lace Agate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cck Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Science anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Russell Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Hey there Aiyana Caposewa. Are you suggesting the entire rock is coprolite, or just whats present on the surface of your first picture? The surface structure of the proposed "box o corp's" looks quite familiar to the surface of your rock on the one side. However lets look at the shape. The shape of the rocks in the box look as though they could have potentially come "out of" a living creature. Now lets look at the shape of your rock versus the size. If your rock, as large as it is now, were shaped proportionally to those in the box.... wow! That's huge! And wouldn't those "similar looking shapes" on your rock, and the rocks in the box, be that much larger in proportion? Just my reasoning at work here... Finding my way through life; one fossil at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AiyanaCaposewa Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Hey there Aiyana Caposewa. Are you suggesting the entire rock is coprolite, or just whats present on the surface of your first picture? The surface structure of the proposed "box o corp's" looks quite familiar to the surface of your rock on the one side. However lets look at the shape. The shape of the rocks in the box look as though they could have potentially come "out of" a living creature. Now lets look at the shape of your rock versus the size. If your rock, as large as it is now, were shaped proportionally to those in the box.... wow! That's huge! And wouldn't those "similar looking shapes" on your rock, and the rocks in the box, be that much larger in proportion? Just my reasoning at work here... Nah Rob its obviously small balls of fossilised faeces on the surface of this rock...I have coprolite that has been found typically on its own and this one on the surface of a slab of rock laden with a mix of unidentified fossils.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Hi AiyanaCaposewa, I am french, and I will try to spear a little time to answer you, and in English ! I read again the whole subject, and I didn't see answer which would have mistreated you. You asked if your fossil is really a coprolithe. Argued answers were made, and I find them completely correct. I look for fossils for more than 30 years, I even began with minerals, and many of our members have a very long experience of fossils from the USA, Europe, and other continents. Most of the researchers of fossils are not interested in only the fossils of their country ! With many years, we can have a global vision this what exists. Many of us have a big library of scientific publications to which we refer regularly. I don't know what your first fossils are, but I am sure your "coprolithes" are not ! They are iron nodules. All the persons respected you, Indy even gave a very good explanation onto the errors as the new fossil hunters can make, and we are all spent there ! If you do not trust us, visit a museum in your country, meet a specialist who will take time to explain to you and to show you of the coprolithes truths. AiyanaCaposewa, good luck in your search for fossils, and happy New Year 2012 ! Coco ---------------------- OUTIL POUR MESURER VOS FOSSILES : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 1 (Poissons et sélaciens récents & fossiles) : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 2 (Animaux vivants - sans poissons ni sélaciens) : ici Mâchoires sélaciennes récentes : ici Hétérodontiques et sélaciens : ici Oeufs sélaciens récents : ici Otolithes de poissons récents ! ici Un Greg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Coco... Excellent summary and suggestions Oh, by the way...Kudos on your Outstanding professional website Link .... Here is the Google English translation link: Click Here Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobWill Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 (edited) Nah Rob its obviously small balls of fossilised faeces on the surface of this rock...I have coprolite that has been found typically on its own and this one on the surface of a slab of rock laden with a mix of unidentified fossils.... This may clear up some of the confusion. I'm guessing members thought you meant that your slab was a single coprolite from your description of it as a coprolite but if it is a slab with many coprolites grouped together than the question to resolve is whether this is a common occurence and why so many might be in one place. p.s. Looking back at the original post I see where you never said it was a coprolite, that is simply the way the term is usually used. We're just not used to seeing more than one at a time. If there is a scientific way to tell what just looking at a photo won't tell us than you may have a very unique piece, worthy of study, so I hope it's not just another concretion. You should take it to someone who can examine it in ways that pictures could never accomplish. Edited December 20, 2011 by BobWill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AiyanaCaposewa Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Coco...Inever said anyone mistreated me nor I did I says I didnt trust anyone just being honest about my experience on the site...and the fact that most people here have little or no knowledge in regards to australian fossil sites or specimens...and have found not on this listing but others that Because I do not have a degree or qualification my vast experience means not a thing...just a few times people have been rude on chat and through messages the sites a great idea but just remember a novice has lots of insite too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Nah Rob its obviously small balls of fossilised faeces on the surface of this rock... Now at least it makes some sense...not that it's obvious to me. "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...
njcreekhunter Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 (edited) Coco...Inever said anyone mistreated me nor I did I says I didnt trust anyone just being honest about my experience on the site...and the fact that most people here have little or no knowledge in regards to australian fossil sites or specimens...and have found not on this listing but others that Because I do not have a degree or qualification my vast experience means not a thing...just a few times people have been rude on chat and through messages the sites a great idea but just remember a novice has lots of insite too. Do you really think most people on this site have a PhD or another degree in paleontology? Many don't, you're not the only one. I have no degrees or anything of the sort.I agree with you about a novice possibly having alot of insight, But, why post something in the ID section if you are already so sure as to what it is? You asked if it was coprolite and members have given you their opinions. No matter what "vast experience" you may have you should always be open to other people's opinions. Edited December 22, 2011 by sharktoothboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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