Fin Lover Posted June 12, 2022 Share Posted June 12, 2022 My husband picked this up thinking it was Native American pottery but, once we got it home and looked at it, the texture is not right. It is heavier than I would expect clay to be. Found a uniface scraper and other pottery previously in this spot (also shark teeth and verts, and a ton of steinkerns). He has lots of other pottery shards and this just seems too dense. Any ideas? Thank you! Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted June 12, 2022 Share Posted June 12, 2022 It almost seems metallic in a few of the photos, which might explain the density. Have you been able to rule that out? ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 12, 2022 Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 The texture is not something that I would typically associate with a metal, so it has not crossed my mind. It sounds like a rock when tapped. How would I rule out a metal? I know they aren't all magnetic. Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted June 12, 2022 Share Posted June 12, 2022 It looks like prismatic cartilage from a shark or ray. I think it could be part of a sawfish rostrum. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 12, 2022 Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 Thanks @Al Dente, I tried googling sawfish rostrum and this was the closest thing I could find: We aren't sure that's what it is, but it's definitely our best lead right now. I appreciate the help! Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 (edited) Moderators, is it possible to get this moved to Fossil ID, since I clearly had no idea what it was and put it in the wrong place? Not that I am doubting Al Dente at all (actually, I'm hoping others agree with him), but would love some other feedback since I can't find much online re: sawfish rostrum frags. Lots of sawfish teeth, but not what I need. I found the forum post referenced above and a picture from the Charleston Museum @ https://www.charlestonmuseum.org/research/collection/tbd-sawfish-rostrum/FD3446B5-8823-4479-81C5-484447152039 and both look similar to what I have, but mine appears to maybe have an extra line running down it. I am attaching some more pictures using a real camera with close up lenses that may or may not show the texture better than the cell phone pics. I'm very sorry for the trouble! Thank you so much! Erin Edited June 14, 2022 by Fin Lover Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 Thank you for moving this! Does anyone else have any opinions on whether this could be a piece of sawfish rostrum or something else? Thank you! Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Put "Sawfish rostrum" in The Forum's search function. The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 (edited) I did and I found a lot on the teeth from the rostrum and how to tell different kinds apart from each other, but only one post that had a picture of a fragment of one. Edited June 14, 2022 by Fin Lover Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Did you zoom in on these photos? Or these? The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 (edited) Yes, but they are blurry when I zoom in. I have found two similar pictures that look like it could be rostrum, but I've also seen stuff that acts like it isn't very common, so I didn't want to just assume. Sorry, I really did try before posting. Edited June 14, 2022 by Fin Lover Fixed grammar Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Just checking. No apology necessary. @MarcoSr @sixgill pete @Boesse 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 17 minutes ago, JohnJ said: Just checking. No apology necessary. @MarcoSr @sixgill pete @Boesse Sawfish rostrum. Marco Sr. 1 1 "Any day that you can fossil hunt is a great day." My family fossil website Some Of My Shark, Ray, Fish And Other Micros My Extant Shark Jaw Collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Absolutely a sawfish rostrum! Nice find. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 I agree with the others. Sawfish rostrum.... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 14 hours ago, Fin Lover said: Not that I am doubting Al Dente at all (actually, I'm hoping others agree with him), but would love some other feedback since I can't find much online re: sawfish rostrum frags. Eric is a very knowledgeable member with a good ID track record. 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 From what I found searching the forum for sawfish rostrum, he seemed to be one who would know rostrum when he saw it but, again, I was finding that it wasn't very common, so I wanted to double-check. And the first reply mentioned that it looked metallic, so I didn't have a consensus. Absolutely no offense meant to anyone and your input is very much appreciated! 1 Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 @Al Dente, I'm very sorry if it came across negatively that I asked if others agreed that it looked like rostrum. And I'm sorry if any other members interpreted it as an insult to Al Dente, as it was in no shape or form intended as one. Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 8 minutes ago, Fin Lover said: I'm very sorry if it came across negatively I didn't take it as a negative comment. It is important to get other opinions. 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 3 hours ago, Fin Lover said: And I'm sorry if any other members interpreted it as an insult to Al Dente, as it was in no shape or form intended as one. No worries. Insults or offenses are no where on the radar in this topic...just points of information. 1 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyw Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 5 hours ago, Fin Lover said: @Al Dente, I'm very sorry if it came across negatively that I asked if others agreed that it looked like rostrum. And I'm sorry if any other members interpreted it as an insult to Al Dente, as it was in no shape or form intended as one. Nonsense! I’m sure noone thought you were being negative or insulting! We often ask for more opinions especially if theres only a reply or two or if theres conflicting opinions. Asking it to be moved to the fossil I.D section was the right thing to do 20 hours ago, Fin Lover said: Not that I am doubting Al Dente at all (actually, I'm hoping others agree with him), but would love some other feedback since I can't find much online re: sawfish rostrum frags And I at least thought this was a very polite and proper way to explain why. So no worries! You’re doing just fine! I’m glad it turned out to be what you were hoping it to be. Nice find! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Thank you, @Randyw, I appreciate that. Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 I'm gonna be a super nerd here, but if this is Cretaceous, I wouldn't call is a sawfish. The newest name for this group, which is not in the exact same lineage as true sawfishes, is sawskates. AND... this is an outstanding find! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Absolutely a piece of rostrum. I love finding these. But are very uncommon. 1 1 Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Thank you, everyone, my husband is very happy to hear the responses, especially since he was initially bummed that it wasn't pottery. 2 Fin Lover My favorite things about fossil hunting: getting out of my own head, getting into nature and, if I’m lucky, finding some cool souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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