EMP Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I found these in some rocks I was splitting open. They're from the Mississippian aged Pocono Group. They're definitely insect wings, but are they modern ones or fossil ones? I'm too afraid to try and see if I can scratch them off, because what if they are intricately preserved fossils? I found them on the inside part of the rock, but I was splitting the shale outside so could they have gotten on the rock that way, or are they really fossils? The shale piece this came from was from the same layer I found the trigonotarbid in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMP Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 I tried to brush them off with an art brush and they're still there, and I also tried blowing on them and sure enough they're still there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvie Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Ha ha I got all excited like that,are those pictures + & - they don't look it.They look too translucent.?Mine turned out modern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Do you see any veination when looking through a loupe? 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...
EMP Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Yes there is venation, my loop is just too dirty to get them out in a photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I think I can see some in the reverse black and white image I made. Cool. 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...
EMP Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Are they fossils? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Do you have counterparts? From what you are saying, these were found in a fresh split, correct? I can't see any way for recent insect wings to get into a piece of rock. 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...
Yvie Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I split mine outside in the rain and wet rock,must have got on to my chisel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMP Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Well it is the middle of winter. I don't have any counterparts from what I've seen, but then again I threw out a bunch of chips so it may be in one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Don't try this until you get experienced advise, but isn't hydrogen peroxide sometimes used to remove recent organic mater. Perhaps as a test ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossiling Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 38 minutes ago, Rockwood said: Don't try this until you get experienced advise, but isn't hydrogen peroxide sometimes used to remove recent organic mater. Perhaps as a test ? I would advise you to try it, if yuou are not alone. Keep looking! They're everywhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvie Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Hi I messed around with pictures and they do look real,have attached embossed edits of wing and serparate body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 + real - wing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 yes, real... but fossil or modern. I am leaning towards modern. BUt that is just a hunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 1 hour ago, Rockwood said: + real - wing Contrary to what it may appear my point here is not at odds with jpc's comment. It's more about the weight that should be given to this particular aspect of the investigation. Photography and magnification can do some weird things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Unless EMP can get a really good detailed image of veination, it is really just a guessing game. I have a hard time understanding the mechanics of how modern insect wings could make it into the middle of a piece of shale that is just split. But again, without excellent micro pictures, it may be impossible to get a good ID on this one way or the other. Regards, 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...
Rockwood Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 50 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: I have a hard time understanding the mechanics of how modern insect wings could make it into the middle of a piece of shale that is just split. Depends on how fractured the surface was to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 exactly, and the insect might not have died in there, but the wings may have been brought in by another insect or spider, something smaller. I am often amazed at how many insects, spiders and mites we find deep in rocks when excavating. If the layers are even just a wee bit separated, puny critters will find their way in there. The photos just look like modern wings to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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