automech Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Back near the end of June I took two friends, David and Paul, and their boys with my two boys for a day at my spot on the lower Potomac. With lunches and water packed and great weather for the forecast, we started our 100’ descent to the river shore. David and his youngest son were first timers. So, I kept them close to me in the beginning and showed them the ropes of digging and sifting the sandy matrix. Neither of them were having any luck so, to give them confidence, a couple of nice shark teeth I found in my screen secretly ended up in theirs when I put a shovel full of sand in their screen. Not long after that they got the hang of it and found some nice pieces. Everyone was doing great. I went and scouted an area further up the shore, which I was grateful wasn’t blocked by downed trees, and found a really productive spot. It’s here where I found two shark teeth I’ve never seen in this spot before. And, I’ve been coming here for at least 15 years. This first one screams to me some kind of meg I love that there are some well defined serrations on it. Could anyone in the MD, VA, D.C. area shed light on what species this is? The next one I was completely floored when I saw it in my screen. A nice hemi in a strange brown color. I can only guess it came out from the higher end of the cliff. I have never found one in the Potomac. Only in the Chesapeake Bay. Another thing I found, and need help with is this strange thing I was thinking stingray barb but it isn’t tapered like one. The two holes in the center are interesting. It’s hard as a rock and sounds ceramic when I drop it. Any thoughts? This sand tiger my youngest son accidentally found He picked a chunk of clay and was about to chuck it into the river when he noticed the tip of the crown sticking out of the clay just as he leaned back to throw it. The curved cusplet is strange to me. My oldest son found this one that I can’t seem to figure out Any ideas would be great. It was a great day! And, a tiring walk back up the hill. I hope everyone enjoyed this report and thanks for any input on mystery items. Here’s some pictures of everything we found David and sons My youngest son My oldest son And mine My friend Paul hasn’t been able to get me a picture of their finds. Thanks again everyone. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 1 hour ago, automech said: Another thing I found, and need help with is this strange thing It looks like Cylindracanthus, a piece of fish rostrum. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cck Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Looks like you’re in an area where Paleocene and Miocene mix together… teeth from the younger exposures on the Potomac like the eastover often get stained by overlying ironstone deposits.. good mix of cool stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 It was nice of you to take out your friends for a hunt. You did well! ( Both in your findings and being a good friend!) 1 I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark57 Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 3 hours ago, cck said: Looks like you’re in an area where Paleocene and Miocene mix together… teeth from the younger exposures on the Potomac like the eastover often get stained by overlying ironstone deposits.. good mix of cool stuff! This is a mix of Eocene and Miocene, which I think the OP knows since he listed Nanjemoy in the tags. Cylindracanthus is not found in the Paleocene here. Based on the curvature of the crown, I am confident the serrated tooth is a worn rootless Otodus auriculatus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 (edited) 10 hours ago, automech said: It is better to take the photos on a plain background and in natural light, because there your tooth seems serrated if you look at it quickly, when in reality I think it is not. Coco Edited September 20 by Coco ---------------------- OUTIL POUR MESURER VOS FOSSILES : ici Pareidolia : here Ma bibliothèque PDF 1 (Poissons et sélaciens récents & fossiles) : ici Ma bibliothèque PDF 2 (Animaux vivants - sans poissons ni sélaciens) : ici Mâchoires sélaciennes récentes : ici Hétérodontiques et sélaciens : ici Oeufs sélaciens récents : ici Otolithes de poissons récents ! ici Un Greg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automech Posted September 20 Author Share Posted September 20 16 hours ago, Al Dente said: It looks like Cylindracanthus, a piece of fish rostrum. That's it! Thanks a lot. 16 hours ago, cck said: Looks like you’re in an area where Paleocene and Miocene mix together… teeth from the younger exposures on the Potomac like the eastover often get stained by overlying ironstone deposits.. good mix of cool stuff! Yes. That's what the old geological map of Charles County shows. @Coco In the future I'll use a different background and better lighting. I can assure you that there are serrations on the tooth. If it's sunny here tomorrow, I'll take another picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atoothsatooth42 Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Great finds! Always satisfying when less accustomed fossil collectors who join you on a trip have success as well. While my competitive nature eggs me on to find the best finds, I’m always excited when they find something good, even if I’m jealous! Hope to see some of Paul’s finds as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dries85 Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Nice variety.. love the Hemi! Great report, much enjoyed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automech Posted September 23 Author Share Posted September 23 On 9/21/2024 at 1:25 AM, Atoothsatooth42 said: Great finds! Always satisfying when less accustomed fossil collectors who join you on a trip have success as well. While my competitive nature eggs me on to find the best finds, I’m always excited when they find something good, even if I’m jealous! Hope to see some of Paul’s finds as well. Thanks! I does give me joy. As I'm sure it does for all of us here. It's funny, when everyone stopped for lunch and was just hanging out, I inhaled my sandwich and got back out there. Even when it was time to leave, I was the last one out of the water. I will try to press my friend, Paul, to send me his pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automech Posted September 23 Author Share Posted September 23 By the way. Has anyone given thought of what this one is? The "fat" cusplet is throwing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atoothsatooth42 Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 12 hours ago, automech said: By the way. Has anyone given thought of what this one is? The "fat" cusplet is throwing me. Serratolamna Or cretolamna perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark57 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 That's a typical Otodus obliquus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark57 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 I would like to point out that there aren't any bluffs along the Potomac where the Miocene overlies the Paleocene. How old are the maps you guys are looking at? The Nanjemoy Formation is early Eocene. If you give a more precise location on these specimens, I can give you a more precise stratigraphy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automech Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 7 hours ago, shark57 said: I would like to point out that there aren't any bluffs along the Potomac where the Miocene overlies the Paleocene. How old are the maps you guys are looking at? The Nanjemoy Formation is early Eocene. If you give a more precise location on these specimens, I can give you a more precise stratigraphy. The map I looked at, and tried to discern, is the 1968 Maryland Geological Survey map. I can't seem to find anything better online. I'll send you a PM on location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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