chipk Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 A friend from Owego, NY sent me this photo of a specimen he found near his house (not quite sure of the circumstances). When he first described it, it sounded like an ammonite, but after seeing it, I don't know what it is.... some kind of coral, stromatolite, petrified tree, concretion?? I'd appreciate any help you can give. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I am wondering , it may be manmade. 2 I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Just possibly a sponge similar to Uphantaenia chemungensis? 4 Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I wonder if it isn't something like the glass sponge, Uphantaenia chemungensis ?? Strange. Maybe some pictures from the sides and back would help to determine what it is. Regards, Doh! Tarquin beat me to it. 4 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 The location of the find and the geological age, the color and the rock type would be good, but, something could be wrong with the typical radial bands, the spacing between the visible radial rows (the elevated margins of the radial bands) is too irregular for Uphantaenia chemungensis that I've ever seen, the only appropriate species of Dictyospongidae family. I am very doubtful about this specimen. Looks to be a carved artifact, but I could be wrong. Here is for reference J. Hall, J. M. Clarke. 1898. A memoir on the Palaeozoic reticulate sponges constituting the family Dictyospongidae. 5 " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I noticed the difference in spacing, but thought it could be an artifact of fossilization, or some different species of glass sponge. Maybe we can get Dr. Karl Wilson to have a look at this. @kwilson 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipk Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 Thanks for the input! I just asked my friend to send photos of the cross section to see if that helps. Since there is speculation it could be man made, I thought it might be a piece of an old millstone, but I googled millstone photos and didn't see anything with this pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docpaleo Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 I have several specimens of the genus Uphantaenia chemungensis in my collection and this specimen appears similar but much larger than any of mine. The specimen you found would be larger by a magnitude of 3, bringing it to over 20 inches (50 cm). I magnified the image and it does not seem to be man made. There are no obvious tool marks and the surface appears to be from a natural break. I agree that it is most likely Uphantaenia sp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Nice specimens! Thanks for showing us, Doc! Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Yours are pretty nice Uphantaenia, no doubt, but the specimen in question is different than yours. Just to see them side-by-side. 1 " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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