Cairns Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hi, my daughter found this on our beach in Kitsap County. (Washington) The tongue taste test says it’s bone, it sure looks like embedded flint. I realize how very improbable this is, so suspect it’s something tame and obvious but I can’t figure it out. Perhaps someone out there can? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Tooth maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 I'm certain that the people who live in Kitsap County think of it as the center of the universe, but there may be a few of us who don't know where Kitsap County lies. That said, I think this object is geological, rather than biological in origin. Flint, or some other SiO2 variety, is a reasonable guess. 1 4 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairns Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 Washington state which yes, is the center of all oh, flint formed inside a “rock”? Ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 4 hours ago, Cairns said: Washington state which yes, is the center of all oh, flint formed inside a “rock”? Ok I think it is either a clast that was included in the sediment, or possibly just an area of the rock that remains unweathered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob86795 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 It seems to be a part of root, most likely from a whale. the tooth itself has broken off although, in one of the pictures it looks as if a bit of the tooth stayed attached. Definitely something to get checked out at your local museum or palaeontologist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 There is no enamel - so no tooth. It's definitely geological in nature, rather than biological. Geology produces some weird stuff. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 (edited) There could be cementum seen on the root end of a tooth. This does not look like cementum however. Edited May 18, 2021 by Rockwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Is that gray spot a hole? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob86795 Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 I thought it could be a root to a whale tooth. as it has a very similar shape and size as the picture above. I could be wrong as it was just a guess but they do look alike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Trilo Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Agree with geologic, but it does look like a primitive pencil. (It's nor really a pencil but kinda looks like one) “If fossils are not "boggling" your mind then you are simply not doing it right” -Ken (digit) "No fossil is garbage, it´s just not completely preserved” -Franz (FranzBernhard) "With hammer in hand, the open horizon of time, and dear friends by my side, what can we not accomplish together?" -Kane (Kane) "We are in a way conquering time, reuniting members of a long lost family" -Quincy (Opabinia Blues) "I loved reading the trip reports, I loved the sharing, I loved the educational aspect, I loved the humor. It felt like home. It still does" -Mike (Pagurus) “The best deal I ever got was getting accepted as a member on The Fossil Forum. Not only got an invaluable pool of knowledge, but gained a loving family as well.” -Doren (caldigger) "it really is nice, to visit the oasis that is TFF" -Tim (fossildude19) "Life's Good! -Adam (Tidgy's Dad) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrmica Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 I agree that this is geological, based upon its morphology, which does not resemble a tooth, and especially the location. The sedimentary rocks in Kitsap county are not noted for fossils like this, nor are rocks to the north which could have been a source for glacial movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahnmut Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hi Cairns and welcome to the forum! Flint is often covered by a chalky layer, while at the center of the flint there is often a fossil, like sponges, echinoids or other animal parts. The decaying animal changes the pH of the sediment around it which makes solved silicate less soluble, creating a flint nodule (or sometimes pyrite) around the fossil. The chalky layer is often quite absorbent, just like the porous structure of bone, thus "faking" the tongue test. So flint could explain most of your finds properties. It really resembles a whale tooths root , I am just not sure it is one though. Best Regards, J 2 Try to learn something about everything and everything about something Thomas Henry Huxley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 3 hours ago, Plax said: Is that gray spot a hole? Quoting myself for clarity of my initial remark. I think if the gray area is a hole I see spiral ribbing in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 24 minutes ago, Plax said: Quoting myself for clarity of my initial remark. I think if the gray area is a hole I see spiral ribbing in it. Next to last view. Pretty sure it's a fracture pattern. Flint like I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 12 hours ago, Cairns said: Washington state which yes, is the center of all oh, flint formed inside a “rock”? Ok Thank you. Inside a "rock" (limestone) is the only place where flint is formed. Flint, chert, and other SiO2 varieties are, after all, sedimentary rocks. 1 2 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Good point. The substance would sit there a long time on the surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairns Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 7 hours ago, Mahnmut said: Hi Cairns and welcome to the forum! Flint is often covered by a chalky layer, while at the center of the flint there is often a fossil, like sponges, echinoids or other animal parts. The decaying animal changes the pH of the sediment around it which makes solved silicate less soluble, creating a flint nodule (or sometimes pyrite) around the fossil. The chalky layer is often quite absorbent, just like the porous structure of bone, thus "faking" the tongue test. So flint could explain most of your finds properties. It really resembles a whale tooths root , I am just not sure it is one though. Best Regards, J Ah ok thanks for information on limestone and porous point… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairns Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 5 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: Thank you. Inside a "rock" (limestone) is the only place where flint is formed. Flint, chert, and other SiO2 varieties are, after all, sedimentary rocks. Thanks. Most of the flint I find is free range and I don’t pick up much limestone. Now I know Thanks for edification… sounds like consensus is limestone with flint I may get out my lapidary tools if it’s nothing exciting…to see what shape the flint is. It’s a strange object compared to most of our finds 7 hours ago, Myrmica said: I agree that this is geological, based upon its morphology, which does not resemble a tooth, and especially the location. The sedimentary rocks in Kitsap county are not noted for fossils like this, nor are rocks to the north which could have been a source for glacial movement. Ok thanks for the insights 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 So is the gray spot a hole or conchoidal fracture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Trilo Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Plax said: So is the gray spot a hole or conchoidal fracture? not a hole, the second to last picture shows it best “If fossils are not "boggling" your mind then you are simply not doing it right” -Ken (digit) "No fossil is garbage, it´s just not completely preserved” -Franz (FranzBernhard) "With hammer in hand, the open horizon of time, and dear friends by my side, what can we not accomplish together?" -Kane (Kane) "We are in a way conquering time, reuniting members of a long lost family" -Quincy (Opabinia Blues) "I loved reading the trip reports, I loved the sharing, I loved the educational aspect, I loved the humor. It felt like home. It still does" -Mike (Pagurus) “The best deal I ever got was getting accepted as a member on The Fossil Forum. Not only got an invaluable pool of knowledge, but gained a loving family as well.” -Doren (caldigger) "it really is nice, to visit the oasis that is TFF" -Tim (fossildude19) "Life's Good! -Adam (Tidgy's Dad) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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