Bothriodon tooth which end is the root

[DE&i 395]

I really like the sturdiness of the Bothriodon sp tooth when held in the hand from the Isle of Wight, Lower Hamstead Beds in Bouldnor , and I would really like to know are these indents possible wear facets (indicated by the blue arrow). But before I can really ask that question with confidence, I thought it would be best to ask which end of the tooth is the root and which end of the tooth the tip is. @TXV24

 

 

 

[Mikefossil 3]

Fantastic fossil, really great pictures as well. 

[TXV24 171]

Hi, 

 

The tip is where you have the small area of enamel, as visible in the third image down. The area you have highlighted would be at the very base of the root so would be unlikely to be a wear facet. Many vertebrate specimens from the upper Hamstead Member exhibit a fair degree of wear and abrasion from pre-depositional transport on the coastal plain and also have signs of mollusc boring, which may account for the marks you're seeing on the root. 

 

Hope this helps, 

 

Theo

[DE&i 395]

Thank you Theo,

 

Its great fun seeking answers to such questions and I appreciate your time with my mine. All notes now added to this find in order to further describe this fossil to friends and family.

 

 

 

[DE&i 395]

Thank you @Mikefossil for viewing.

[Mikefossil 3]

7 minutes ago, DE&i said:

Thank you @Mikefossil for viewing.

No worries