ID help, please—is this an invertebrate fossil?

[DavidL]

Does anyone know what this is? I found it in Rhode Island, on the outskirts of the Narragansett basin. It looks symmetrical and segmented. I think it’s an invertebrate fossil, but I really have no idea. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Fossildude19]

Sorry, but not really seeing a fossil here.

Looks like mineral staining to me.

The Narragansett Basin is known for plant fossils, and some insect traces, and amphibian footprints.

That said, there could, conceivably,  be some carbonized plant remains mixed in with the mineral staining.

Not seeing anything immediately recognizable, however.

[C2fossils]

I agree not really seeing a fossil.

[DavidL]

Thanks, Fossildude19.  I figure you’re probably right. I see a slight resemblance to some arthropod fossils, but it’s too faint for me to know what I’m looking at. This was found in an empty lot that rocks and sand and other fill gets dumped in from time to time, so it’s conceivable that it came from somewhere in Massachusetts that has fossil arthropods or cephalopods or something of that nature. I’ve attached a few examples of what I’m talking about. In any event, thank you for your feedback!

Edited December 17, 2023 by DavidL

[Thomas.Dodson]

I agree with the others. Are you sure this is sedimentary rock? It looks like schist to me.

[Fossildude19]

I don't know of any fossil cephalopods found in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Definitely not seeing a cephalopod or arthropod here.

[westcoast]

This could be a thin, flattened piece of plant matter.

[DavidL]

Thank you all for your comments and insights. I believe it’s shale, or maybe slate or even phyllite. It looks more sedimentary in person than it does in the photos, because I punched them up so you could see the shape I was talking about. That may have been unhelpful. Here are some more natural looking photos, so you can get a better idea of what the rock really looks like. What do you guys think? Does it look metamorphic or sedimentary? Again, thank you very much!

Edited December 17, 2023 by DavidL

[Dino2033]

It seems to be a little to rough and bumpy to be a fossil from this area. Typically the fossils around here are either somewhat flat or the depth is very distinctive or detailed with patterns. Looks like it could be sandstone? 

[DavidL]

Dino2033, that makes sense. It certainly doesn’t look like any other fossil I’ve found. Thank you for your insight!

[Fossildude19]

Looks like shale or mudstone, to me. 

[Thomas.Dodson]

2 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Looks like shale or mudstone, to me. 

Given the new pictures I agree.

[Isotelus2883]

On 12/16/2023 at 8:50 PM, Fossildude19 said:

fossil cephalopods found in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Maybe the Newbury volcanics had occasional cephalopods, and there are cephalopod-like problematica in lower cambrian deposits.

[Fossildude19]

6 minutes ago, Isotelus2883 said:

Maybe the Newbury volcanics had occasional cephalopods, and there are cephalopod-like problematica in lower cambrian deposits.

 

 

Bit of a stretch, I think. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Low grade schist, perhaps?

[DavidL]

Thank you all for the feedback. This is an interesting discussion. And a very good reminder of how much I have to learn.

[Isotelus2883]

 

8 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Bit of a stretch

Yes, sorry, I didn't mean to imply "no, there are."