mickiver 1 Posted July 15, 2013 Found this years ago while putting down sod in a yard in Eastern South Dakota. It didn't look like any of the other rocks in the area. I think it might be an egg. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 81 Posted July 15, 2013 Not an egg ... It looks metallic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickiver 1 Posted July 15, 2013 Definitely not metal. It weighs about the same as a AA battery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roz 34 Posted July 15, 2013 I agree that it not an egg but what it is, I do not know! It looks likes those images were taken with the flash on? I see a glare. In your third photo could you take a sharp pic of just that area (the brownish looking part?) It looks a bit different than the rest but I just can't tell from your pics.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickiver 1 Posted July 15, 2013 It is hard to see anything without the flash on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roz 34 Posted July 15, 2013 I am afraid I just can't tell.. Thanks for taking more pics. Do you have a magnifying glass? Can you see anything? In your second (original post) pic I can see what look like lighter area running through part of it.. The only other suggestion I can think of is to take some shots outside in natural light.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave (POM) Allen 150 Posted July 15, 2013 maybe a fossil pearl .just a thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeDOTB 9 Posted July 15, 2013 Not an egg. Are you sure it's not metallic? Have you found any other fossils/artifacts in your yard? At first glance to me it looked like a musket ball. Lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doctor Mud 826 Posted July 15, 2013 Also thought maybe a musket ball. Have you tried a magnet to see if it is magnetic? If it is an egg this would be an internal mold perhaps since I can see any evidence for shell (the small broken piece doesn't reveal a shell) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 81 Posted July 15, 2013 I suggest the artifact is man-made and not a fossil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Russell 177 Posted July 15, 2013 Was the area ever covered by glaciers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roz 34 Posted July 15, 2013 maybe a fossil pearl .just a thought. There are some posted on Oceans of Kansas site.. Just scroll down a bit. Interesting. I have only seen a few here on the forum. http://www.oceansofkansas.com/fieldguide5.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toren 2 Posted July 15, 2013 Maybe a gizzard stone??? if there was smiley that shrugged its shoulder i would of used it ...lol.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeDOTB 9 Posted July 15, 2013 Does resemble one of the examples from the pictures on the website. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpc 4,128 Posted July 15, 2013 certainly not an egg. Eggshell has characteristic texture that this thing lacks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickiver 1 Posted July 15, 2013 To catch up with answers: I don't see any change of color running through it. The pictures I've posted are as good as I can get. There was glacial activity in Easter South Dakota, several actually. It is mineral, not metal. I didn't find anything else at the time. It being pitch black made it stand out. When I found it, it had a small amount of calcium "slag" on it that I removed. It made me think it had to be very old, and in a wet environment at some point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DLB 169 Posted July 16, 2013 Possibly a pearl fossil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auspex 4,015 Posted July 16, 2013 It would be an awfully big pearl... If it is a naturally occurring object, I do not know what it might be. It would be nice to determine what it is made of; if rubbed on a piece of unglazed porcelain, what color streak does it leave? Can it be scratched by a copper penny? By a knife? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickiver 1 Posted July 18, 2013 Assuming it is an awfully big fossil pearl, is there a fossil pearl expert in the United States? Is there a way to certify that it is or is not a fossil pearl? I've considered that it could have been an indian marble, however, the calcium "slag" that I removed makes me think it woud probably pre-date any known human habitation in the area. It would have been a poorly made marble at that, compared to what I've seen on the internet. The attached photo is an example of fossil pearls from the web site http://fossil.pearl.4t.com/ingles.html. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 81 Posted July 18, 2013 I still suggest its man-made Another possibility is man-made milling balls for crushing rock and or other media mechanically. LINK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herb 1,094 Posted July 18, 2013 Looks like a lead "Minnie ball" to me. Can you cut into it with a knife? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickiver 1 Posted July 18, 2013 Again, it is not metal. I can't cut it with a knife, by hand anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 81 Posted July 18, 2013 Well ... one thing is for sure It's not an obvious fossil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herb 1,094 Posted July 18, 2013 tecktite?? fossil hail stone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 8 Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Don't know if trees from that area had round nut type seed pods like over here but it's a thought. Maybe palm tree seed?? Or jacaranda type?? Also apparently pearls dissolve in vinegar, don't know about fossil ones though. Been tempted to try it with one from a broken braclet lol. Edit: just tried the pearl/ vinegar experiment and got bubbles, it would take a while but it would work. Please don't try with fossilized pearls or your wives. Edited July 18, 2013 by Batty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
