Holden Beach, NC, USA (North of Myrtle Beach) - Fossil Bone or Tooth

[Rockdude]

Found this suggestively shaped specimen on the beach in Holden Beach NC (North of Myrtle Beach). Sample has been eroded and what I suspect to be bone matrix is clearly visible on the "back" and "top" of the specimen. Have searched the internet to no avail for an ID. Someone else suggested this may be a piece of another bone which happens to have eroded into a tooth shape. Any ideas?

Attached pictures (Description of specimen orientation is relative to the first photo):

​1. Front view

2. Back view. Note the visible matrix.

3. Top view. Again, visible matrix.

4. Bottom view. A conical shape.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Rockdude

[Rockdude]

The scale in the photo is inches by the way

[Rockwood]

Eroded bone seems right to me.

[mrieder79]

I agree. Bone.

[sixgill pete]

I concur. A piece of broken / worn bone. That is the problem with so many beach finds, the tumbling action of the surf is not kind to them at all.

[Rockdude]

Thanks all for the input. I never cease to be amazed by how punishing water can be to fossils and rocks!

[Plax]

lot of cretaceous dredged up on that beach. could be mosasaur. Did you find any cretaceous echinoids at the time?