Vertebrae from Ramanessin Creek in Holmdel, NJ?

[kushmeja]

Found this 2 weeks ago in Ramanessin Creek in Holmdel, NJ. It looks like a vertebrae from a larger fish like a shark or large ray, but I'm confused by the mushroom like shape of the one side, so I'm not sure. It measures about 1.2" across and about 0.9" high. I though that maybe it was the last vertebrae before the brain stem or something like that, and therefore the mushroom end may be the side nearest the brain and have a different shape. Any help and / or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

John

Edited September 13, 2018 by kushmeja

[kushmeja]

[Tidgy's Dad]

A little ironstone or haematite nodule, I think. 

[ynot]

I agree with Tidgy's dad, an iron concretion, not a vertebrae or fossil.

[The Jersey Devil]

It is a concretion like the others said, but first cervical vertebrae due indeed have differing faces.

[JarrodB]

Sometimes those little concretions will fool you. Keep looking. 

[njfossilhunter]

13 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

A little ironstone or haematite nodule, I think. 

I have found many of these in the brooks over the years.

[Masp]

I’ve found similar ones there and thought the same about it being a vert. Definitely looks like one, but I believe that it’s like the others said, just a strangely formed concretion etc.