Fossil Coral or Tooth?

[Lea Guy]

Hi All,

I would really love some experienced help to I’d a small fossil I found at a local boat ramp in Lake Macquarie NSW.

I picked up the item as it had an interesting shape and upon later inspection I believe it is a fossil.

some people have suggested it may be a solitary coral and others that it may indeed be a tooth but what kind has eluded everyone.

I am really hoping someone may be able to assist me here.

thanks in advance

Lea

[Tidgy's Dad]

Though the shape is somewhat suggestive of a horn coral in some respects and a tooth in others, I think this is neither. 

No enamel or true tooth shape / details and no sign of a corallite, septa, tabulae etc. 

I think it's chert. 

[Rockwood]

The tooth shape is formed by erosion of a tougher layer (would be root) which tapers in the adjacent layer due to it's protection by the more durable layer.

[KompsFossilsNMinerals]

15 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Though the shape is somewhat suggestive of a horn coral in some respects and a tooth in others, I think this is neither. 

No enamel or true tooth shape / details and no sign of a corallite, septa, tabulae etc. 

I think it's chert. 

 

12 hours ago, Rockwood said:

The tooth shape is formed by erosion of a tougher layer (would be root) which tapers in the adjacent layer due to it's protection by the more durable layer.

I concur, this is definitely some sort of sedimentary rock that eroded in the shape of a tooth. Still cool though, just not a fossil.