Fossil Skin Imprint in TN

[Scott-TN]

Found this on our property in TN. It is below a waterfall in an area where the Cumberland Plateau meets the Sequatchie Valley, alongside a cliff. Reminds me Ectenosaurus skin imprint I've seen pictures of. Any chance it is a fossilized reverse dinosaur skin imprint? The squares are holes or indentations, not raised areas. they are mostly rectangular and have a pattern to them. There are small "etched" lines that create a grid surrounding the divots. It seems to symetrical to have been carved out by water motion. I am interested in everyone's thoughts.

[DevonianDigger]

Isn't that material Pennsylvanian and Mississippian in age? I think the geology there predates dinosaurs entirely. Also, this looks like a geologic feature to me I'm sad to say. Others who are more familiar with the area may have better information.

[Max-fossils]

Welcome to TFF!

 

I agree with Jay that this doesn't look very organic to me, and more likely of geologic origin.

The picture of your foot, which is what is giving me an idea of the size of the thing, makes me think that the 'scales' you are seeing are much too big for dino-skin.

Still pretty cool!

 

Best regards,

 

Max

[Paciphacops]

These are Liesegang rings. The process by which Liesegang rings develop is not completely understood. They may form from the chemical segregation of iron oxides and other minerals during weathering, resulting in different hardnesses in the rock. When the rock weathers, the harder areas form raised patterns of ring-like structures.. These are very common in the Pennsylvanian sandstones on the Cumberland Plateau. They often form very sharp edges, but these look like they have been polished from the waterfall. Pretty neat find!

 

 

[Fossildude19]

Welcome to the Forum.   

 

Liesegang rings was my first impression of these. 

Cool geology!

Regards,

[Scott-TN]

Fantastic info! Thanks for taking time to look at the photos. I learned something new and interesting today!

29 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

Welcome to the Forum.   

 

Liesegang rings was my first impression of these. 

Cool geology!

Regards,

 

[abyssunder]

Try to compare with the Tibooburra concretions.