Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: KenWeb on 11/10/2012 10:48:19

Title: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: KenWeb on 11/10/2012 10:48:19

I hope someone can help me out here. I came across this 28in long x 10in tall (large end), 68 pound piece of either dinosaur bone or petrified wood, several years ago.

It is from the Bryan/College Station, TX area and was supposedly uncovered from a new construction excavation site.

That area yields both, dinosaur bones and petrified wood.
I sure would appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Ken

Title: Re: 68lb piece of Dinosaur Bone or Petrified Wood?
Post by: RD on 11/10/2012 18:20:39

Too creased to be bone IMO

Bone should have a porous cross-section ...

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.ucalgary.ca%2F%7Emacrae%2Ft_origins%2Fcarbbones%2Fdino_bone7.jpeg&hash=8a5e31fffeac71c707e0e95365599949)
http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/t_origins/carbbones/dinobone.html

Title: Re: 68lb piece of Dinosaur Bone or Petrified Wood?
Post by: KenWeb on 12/10/2012 11:42:59

Thanks RD,

That is part of what has me "stumped" here.
There is quite a bit of porosity on what is either the "joint" or "stump" end:

Ken

Title: Re: 68lb piece of Dinosaur Bone or Petrified Wood?
Post by: KenWeb on 12/10/2012 11:52:03

Here is one more showing the porosity on the large end.

Ken

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: Lab Rat on 25/01/2013 18:17:45

Does it appear to have rings on the thinner end?  If so, it is probably petrified wood.

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: Airthumbs on 26/01/2013 21:38:20

If you could cut through it cleanly you may get a better idea.... maybe cut a small section away from the thinner end and then hopefully that would remove any erosion and reveal the information that would give you your answer.  Then you would end up with something that would look like the picture RD put up as an example earlier in the post.

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: CliffordK on 29/01/2013 00:06:48

The grain pattern looks more woody than bony.  But, it is hard to tell. 

Do you see anything other than the stump that looks like a knot? 

Do you have other pieces of petrified wood or bone from that site to compare?

Please take an end-on photo of the small end.  Are there concentric grains on the small end?

P.S.  I would be reluctant to cut into it, as I think it is quite a conversation piece whole, no matter what the ultimate identity is.  Can you find a paleontologist at a local university or museum?

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: JimBob on 29/01/2013 05:27:18

wood

my simi-professional opinion as a regular ol' geologist living 100 miles from the location of the find

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: Mazurka on 29/01/2013 16:32:14

Quote from: JimBob on 29/01/2013 05:27:18

wood

my simi-professional opinion as a regular ol' geologist living 100 miles from the location of the find

not as a dinosaur then? [:0][;)] 
are you back now JB?

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: JimBob on 30/01/2013 17:22:59

Quote from: Mazurka on 29/01/2013 16:32:14

Quote from: JimBob on 29/01/2013 05:27:18

wood

my simi-professional opinion as a regular ol' geologist living 100 miles from the location of the find

not as a dinosaur then? [:0][;)] 
are you back now JB?

Well, I am still a dinosaur (over 60) AND

I am on my way back. The chronic pain from the back "injury" or treatment side-effect is slowly becoming something I am getting accustomed to. More opiates would help. Or cocaine. Anyone have Sherlock Holmes' phone number?

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: Mazurka on 31/01/2013 09:24:49

I am glad to hear it!

I have his address if that helps?

Title: Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?
Post by: Ophiolite on 31/01/2013 12:39:43

I lean to the wood explanation. But it's convincing enough that you can certainly tell your gullible friends, neigbours and relations that is from a dinosaur.  :)