smokeyjoe Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 This "river rock" came from a bag purchased at a home center in Illinois so the place it was originally found is unknowable. Can someone help me identify this, please? It is a cylindrical impression of something with rings. In my mind's eye I'm seeing a plant stem or reed of some sort buried in mud near a stream or pond, but I'm virtually clueless about these things and would appreciate it is a more knowledgeable kind soul would offer a more informed opinion! Is it plant? Animal? Insect? Approximate age? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoast Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 This looks like a crinoid. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 If it's cylindrical in shape with a non-spiralling character, it might be a crinoid stem imprint (external mold of a crinoid pluricolumnal). 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...
Miocene_Mason Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 This crinoid is in a limestone of probably Paleozoic age, so between 450 and 250 million years old. Without a proper location, little other than that could be deduced about age. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 What the others said. Quite a pretty piece. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Crinoid stem mold. The stem was composed of a softer mineral, that weathered out, leaving the impression behind. IMAGES 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...
smokeyjoe Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thanks everybody! I occasionally visit other non-fossil related forums but none approach this one in terms of the friendliness and speed of response offered by forum members! This particular fossil, along with a handful of other's I've acquired over the past few years, will become a gift to my granddaughter who has shown an interest in fossils. Now I can also pass along the info you've provided and that is what will make the gift meaningful! Best, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thanks for the props--that's what we aim for in keeping this forum friendly and active. Also, thanks for inspiring the younger generation who have shown an interest in fossils. It's nice to see that some in the following generations are interested in something more than their devices. Don't know where in the great state of Illinois you are located but if you are anywhere the greater Chicago area (or near enough to make a trip there), I recommend making a trip to Mazon Creek with your granddaughter. Search this forum for the term "mazon creek" and you will find plenty of information about the siderite nodules that can be found in the area, some of which contain fossil plants (and animals) from the Carboniferous Period (approximately 309 million years ago for the Francis Creek Shale). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazon_Creek_fossil_beds https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/Mazonia-Braidwood.aspx The Mazonia-Braidwood Wildlife Area is a well-known area to hunt for these nodules. Lots of information in this forum as well as other sources online. If you read posts on TFF about Mazon Creek you'll soon spot those members who visit it a lot and post their adventures here. You might try contacting them by PM for some further information which might make a trip there productive. Cheers. -Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 8 hours ago, smokeyjoe said: Thanks everybody! I occasionally visit other non-fossil related forums but none approach this one in terms of the friendliness and speed of response offered by forum members! This particular fossil, along with a handful of other's I've acquired over the past few years, will become a gift to my granddaughter who has shown an interest in fossils. Now I can also pass along the info you've provided and that is what will make the gift meaningful! Best, Joe Hi Joe! I was just wondering how old your granddaughter is... (my daughter is very interested in fossils, too - she's 7 1/2) Welcome to the forum! Monica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilSniper Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 (edited) I have two ideas about this fossil negative: #1: It's a crinoid stem imprint #2: It's a very, very small straight-shelled Cephalopod fossil from either Ohio / Indiana. I find tons of them! I just wanted to add another potential fossil to this ever-growing list with #2. Keep it! Maybe you can make a mold at some point Edited April 9, 2018 by Little_Hammer_Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 If it's a straight cephalopod imprint, it should have a conicity, so it can't be cylindrical as it was said. 2 " 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...
FossilSniper Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 10 hours ago, abyssunder said: If it's a straight cephalopod imprint, it should have a conicity, so it can't be cylindrical as it was said. Good point! after all, it is most likely a crinoid stem impression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeyjoe Posted April 10, 2018 Author Share Posted April 10, 2018 My granddaughter is 8 but sadly for me she will be moving out of state this summer. (She'll be going to the Charlotte, NC area.) I am in a Chicago suburb and was not aware of Mazon creek but I'm definitely going to look it up and hopefully get there with her before she moves. I have one more fossil I'm going to ask for help with. In my opinion it is the coolest one I have, but will need your help identifying. I think you'll all find it interesting. I'll post for help with that one in a few minutes. It's the last one I have but hopefully we can find more at Mazon Creek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeyjoe Posted April 10, 2018 Author Share Posted April 10, 2018 A little off the original topic but are there fossil "clubs" one can join to learn from a starting point of almost no knowledge and skill? How would one find such opportunities? I just realized I should probably go read a sticky topic somewhere before posting this! Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, smokeyjoe said: A little off the original topic but are there fossil "clubs" one can join to learn from a starting point of almost no knowledge and skill? How would one find such opportunities? I just realized I should probably go read a sticky topic somewhere before posting this! Sorry! You should look into ESCONI. 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...
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