Anna2128 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Let me start by saying I have virtually no experience in fossils. This was found in someone's shed in SE Minnesota. I have no idea if it was originally found in this area. It's approximately 8x7 inches. It weights about 7.5 pounds. We brought it to a local nature center and they couldn't really tell us much. Can anyone shed any light on what it might be? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Welcome to TFF ! This is a concretion. It is not a fossil. It forms when minerals cement the sand together and then the softer un cemented soils erode away. Tony Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaier Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 It's called a concretion, and this one is pretty nice looking with athe prominent layers and shape. These "grow" layer by layer from deposited calcium minerals, and that creates the layers that you see. The source of the calcium minerals is the 400 million year old limestone deposits in your area. The water disolves the calcuim carbonate of the limestone, and then precipitates it out into these weird shapes. Interesting door stop. Not that you would probably want to prop open the door in this weather. 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