FossilsandScience Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Hey everyone, I saw this fossil being sold and I think I am going to buy it, but I don’t know if it’s real or fake. It is two rooted Mosasaur teeth with extra jaws and bones (I contacted the seller, who told me they were also probably Mosasaur bones). It was found in Phosphate Deposits, in Khourigba, Morocco. Please help! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runner64 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 The roots of the crowns look fake. The bones, however, look real. Not sure if the teeth were added to possibly increase value? But the roots don't look right in my opinion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf89 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I agree I think the root of the tooth is misc. Bone from another fossil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Judging from the photos alone - actually, the visible roots are the correct shape. Does that prove they are not ersatz? No, but it's a mark in their favor. The other thing that strikes me, and I view as slanted toward authenticity - the damage to both visible crowns. The crowns of Mosasaur teeth are a dime a dozen in Morocco. Why would a forger select damaged teeth to construct a fantasy piece for sale? In hand is the only (relatively) sure way to judge fossil material. That being said, would I purchase the piece shown? Yes, if it was returnable and the price was low enough to laugh off, if in the long run, I ended up snookered. If the piece were mine, it would be subjected to additional prep in an effort to convince myself I was dealing with a native in situ deposit of material. Good luck, purchase of this material is not without risk regarding its authenticity. 4 Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Likely completely real. There are no red flags visible on these photos. The tooth crowns and roots look the correct shape, colour and structure. It all looks completely fine. The slight discolouration near the join where the crown meets the root on the larger tooth is likely because of slight damage or crushing. Good item in my opinion. If this is a fake, it's certainly not visible on these photos. 3 Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runner64 Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 16 hours ago, LordTrilobite said: Likely completely real. There are no red flags visible on these photos. The tooth crowns and roots look the correct shape, colour and structure. It all looks completely fine. The slight discolouration near the join where the crown meets the root on the larger tooth is likely because of slight damage or crushing. Good item in my opinion. If this is a fake, it's certainly not visible on these photos. Thanks for the correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelius Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 I agree that this looks totally legitimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Looks good to me. 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SULLY Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 I think it looks good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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