Golfer Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Why is this stone so flat and sharp on one side? Is this natural or man made? Found in a pile of dirt dug from the earth by a utility crew in Queens New York. See size in photo. I feel a thumb and finger hold on one side. It is very sharp. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Looks like a natural way for that stone to break if hit hard by nature or a human. 3 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 Why is the broken side so smooth? The edges are very sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 What do you mean by "smooth"? It looks somewhat rough to the touch to me. Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 Flat, yes--but not smooth as in polished. This is likely naturally produced and could be the result of a simple fracture. This particular type of rock could either have a bedding plane or a crystal structure that would make such a clean split. Alternatively, since this rock came from a higher latitude up in NY it might possibly be the result of glacial activity--something similar to glacial polishing or striation. All these are just a guess as to a cause for this cleaving/grinding that will likely never be known unless more rocks from that context can support a theory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_polish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_striation Does not match the shape of any known human-produced tools so simply having a flat plane on one side is not sufficient indication for this to have been produced by humans. Though it does rather remind me of natural rocks that are split with one flat side which are often used to add to the surface of structures like walls or chimneys to make them appear to be built entirely out of field stones. Cheers. -Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 By smooth I mean when I run my finger over the flat surface is feels very smooth. Definitely not polished. Thank you all for your contributions. The hole they came out of was about 6 feet deep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted November 1, 2022 Share Posted November 1, 2022 My best guess is still something shaped/left by the glaciers. A cool rock worthy of display. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 It broke in a flat plane parallel to the bedding plane. Sedimentary rocks commonly do that when they drop from a height and hit other rocks. Flat with sharp edges is extremely common in the world of rocks! Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 Imagine the natural force needed to do that! Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now