Jump to content

Round, seed-like fossil out of Columbia MO


eldr62

Recommended Posts

https://imgur.com/a/J0Twa

 

Originally posted on r/fossilid on reddit.com. Did not get much reception.

I literally know nothing about fossils except a few tidbits in recognizing basic things like crinoids. 

I do not remember exactly where it was found, but geologic maps indicate my area, Columbia, Missouri, is roughly in the carboniferous layer.

I'm sorry I don't have many good views of it--I do not have any good tools to readily chip away at it. 

 

Let me know if you guys have any more questions!

Thank you so much! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it is from Carboniferous, the determination is Trigonocarpid seed fern. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could we have a closer look or larger file ? Those look like they could be crinoid bits to me.

I suspect this may be volcanic ash, which can be very fossiliferous.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, Rockwood said:

Could we have a closer look or larger file ? Those look like they could be crinoid bits to me.

I suspect this may be volcanic ash, which can be very fossiliferous.

I agree

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is not a crystal in a volcanic rock. It is most likely an interior mold of a crinoid calyx surrounded by an empty space where the calcite calyx has dissolved away. Note numerous exterior molds of crinoid stems in a rock that is most likely a chert found in a limestone. Compare this rock to the similar cherts with molds  found in the Mississippian Redwall Limestone from Northern Arizona.

My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned.   

See my Arizona Paleontology Guide    link  The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere.       

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said:

It is not a crystal in a volcanic rock. It is most likely an interior mold of a crinoid calyx surrounded by an empty space where the calcite calyx has dissolved away. Note numerous exterior molds of crinoid stems in a rock that is most likely a chert found in a limestone. Compare this rock to the similar cherts with molds  found in the Mississippian Redwall Limestone from Northern Arizona.

I think this theory makes sense! I didn't realize those calices could get so large.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Rockwood said:

Could we have a closer look or larger file ? Those look like they could be crinoid bits to me.

I suspect this may be volcanic ash, which can be very fossiliferous.

I will try to take more pictures today! I tried to get a look underneath the rock lip, but my simple phone camera did not do it justice. 

I will also get some close-ups of the opposite side with all the crinoid imprints. 

 

Thank you, everyone, for all of your ideas and thoughts! I really appreciate it! This has already been a conversation piece and I would like to at least have some theories as to what it is. The geometric shape really throws me for a loop!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Absolutely 100% an internal mold (steinkern) of a crinoid calyx. Given the locale, that is most likely the chert that lies within the Mississippian Burlington Fm. It's chock full of crinoid/blastoids like that.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...