DonFeare Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I am going to the TXI (Martin Marietta) cement quarry in Midlothian, TX in a couple of weeks. Can anyone suggest an area within the quarry where shark teeth are more likely to be located? I know this is almost an answer of where ever you find them, but I thought someone who had been there might be able to suggest an area within the quarry, high, low, etc. I am relatively new to fossil hunting so any information from you pros will be most helpful. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverphoenix Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Look for strata with tons of tiny black gravel. You'll know it when you see ot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Look for boulders/piles where highest density of black phosphate pebbles are seen embedded or eroding out of the light gray surrounding matrix. Highest density of teeth will be found amongst the phosphate. This lithology is from the contact zone between the Eagle Ford Grp and Atco Fm. Higher in the Atco you may see mostly gray limestone without much phosphate or fossils. Get much below the contact zone and you'll see gray, laminated shales of the Eagle Ford, possibly the Arcadia Park. Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonFeare Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks so much Silverphoenix and danwoehr. I'll certainly look for the distinctive black pebbles. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Dan's got the strata description down. But if you are with a group being led in by a quarry worker your search area may be limited. But then they know what we like and usually take us to a good spot. You may even be warned to stay clear of any high walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Is this the same location that DPS is going to in a couple of months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobWill Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 They have a kids trip there Oct 18th and an adult trip Nov 8th but I'm sure by now both are full. They are for a limited number of collectors and DPS members get first shot at available slots but if there are cancellations there's always a chance. The places the guide takes us to has piles of rubble they couldn't use for cement and you just scramble over the mounds looking for what the others described. This is one of those cases where it pays to bust random rocks apart to look inside as long as you see the right color and those phosphate nodules on the outside. An experienced collector will show you what they look like. I've also seen fish verts come out of the harder lighter colored limestone but it's generally not worth the bother of breaking apart like the more crumbly gray stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Guess I need to reserve my spot for November if there is a spot still. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone2stone Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Ryan, it is a members only thing. Plus they have a certain number of spots open to even the members. I personally like hitting the Pyrite outcrops when available/exposed. Jess B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 I am a member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone2stone Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) Ryan, Have you gotten to attend either of the last two meetings? Also are you going to Fossilmania? If so I'll see you there. My friend and I will be there bringing our dino print "natural" casts, along with some other stuff. Good luck at the TXI seen some pretty amazing stuff out of that place. Jess B. Edited September 22, 2014 by bone2stone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My work schedule and where I live kinda prevents me from attending the meetings. As for Fossilmania I don't know yet. I have to check some things first. I would really love to attend at least one of the events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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