grokfish Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Hey folks, Found the following rocks in and around the 435 & Holiday drive area in KC. I think I found them in Muncie Creek Shale (Kansas City Group) though I am not sure, could be Chanute Shale...Anyway, it was bluish, grey, highly broken shale - I had to dig a good 6 inches to expose unbroken shale. Anyway, These are much different than other phosphate nodes I have found, which tend to be oval, or if combined, two ovals... I hope the pics work...if not, let me know. Anyway, the first one is the most striking, to me it resembles a cluster of orchid psuedobulbs (which don't evolve for a couple hundred million years) or the base of palm...other pieces remind me of bark. I found a bunch of them and sacrificed a few to the hammer, just to see. They split in layers, similar to bark, the outside is kinda rough, but comes off exposing a smooth center. One of the photos should demonstrate that. Are these just anomalous phosphate nodes, or are they fossils...any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grokfish Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 More pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 (edited) What you have found are Trace Fossils More specifically...feeding trace burrows Some refer to these as digitate feeding structures Here is on I found in the Mississippian in the St. Louis, MO area Always found this one amusing because it resembles a hand Below is a similar trace featured on a post on our forum Show Me Your Ichnofossils--Part 1: LINK Possibly some members in the KC area will reply with similar specimens found locally Edited December 30, 2011 by Indy Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grokfish Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 Looks about right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 When posting a mystery fossil...It's always enjoyable to see someone show one that could be its "kissin' cousin". In this case that could be true...because I collected these at the same I-435 & Holiday Dr locality several years ago Hey, 1955 was a "Good Year" My first car was a used 1955 Chevy Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grokfish Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Awesome!!! There were bunches of them, when we were out there! I think it's great that that site can connect so many people!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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