LindseyC Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 We found this fossil on the shore of the Potomac River at Fossil Beach in Westmoreland State Park, Virginia. The beach is surrounded by high clay cliffs, and is known for an abundance of sharks teeth. It appears to have a small hinge, but the contours of the lines have made it challenging for us to ID. Bivalve? Brachiopod? Can anyone share a more seasoned opinion? The rock is heavy and dense, reddish brown in color, with oval shaped pitting. The fossil impression itself measures approx 45 mm x 35 mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronzviking Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Cool little find. Looks like an external mold (imprint) of a brachiopod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 I'm OK with that. "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindseyC Posted April 23, 2019 Author Share Posted April 23, 2019 13 minutes ago, Bronzviking said: Cool little find. Looks like an external mold (imprint) of a brachiopod. Thank you, Bronzviking! My son had hoped it was! He'll be excited to hear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_gotta_rock Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 While it is possible that it is an erratic carried there by the Potomac river, it is very unlikely to be a brachiopod. There are a lot of impressions in red mudstone in one of the layers in the nearby cliffs. This would be early to middle miocene. It's such a small bit that it is hard to say, but it looks a bit like one I found near there a coulee months ago. After doing a lot of digging, asking people, and looking through the scientific collection at a museum where I volunteer, the on in my picture here, we are hypothesizing was a mussel shell. Your first picture has a similar texture and the same kind of sweep up from the hinge. I refuse to give up my childish wonder at the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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