Tsites Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi Everyone. I have been fossil hunting since a child, mainly just ferns where I am from. However, I just moved to a new area in PA and am delighted to find a variety of sea life, mainly shells. However I was surprised to find this one. My first guess was a turtle shell? The picture here doesn't do it justice, but was the best I could do. There are plates in the top and sides, then the sides even tapper and have the look of turtles today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Welcome to the Forum. What county in PA? That will help us figure out what time range, although it is probably Silurian, or Devonian, or Mississippian in age. Most likely to be too old for it to be a turtle shell. Can we see a picture of it from directly above, with something like a ruler in the picture for scale? Try taking the photo in daylight, as well - outside or in front of a window. Here is the first picture edited. Pennsylvania Geologic Map 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 May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Maybe a gastropod that's on it's side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 the hexagonal plates suggest a form of echinoderm. Maybe a crinoid cup or early urchin. You need to check what age the formation you were collecting in is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 actually it seems close to Barycrinus though the plates seem smaller on yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocentx Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Possibly an echinoid. Found this photo (credit Wooster Geologists) of irregular from middle Jurassic, except that it's from Israel. If you found it in the SE part of the state, it might be from Jurassic. "Journey through a universe ablaze with changes" Phil Ochs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 no marine jurrasic in se pa (what shows on the map is mostly igneous rocks intruded or extruded through triassic lake deposits) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 It really looks like an urchin. "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocentx Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I'm looking forward to better pictures. Hope you'll submit some. "Journey through a universe ablaze with changes" Phil Ochs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsites Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 I will try to take better pics and post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Better pictures will help. But I also believe this is what we would call the basal cup of a crinoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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