Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: Nisnimnin on 18/09/2008 13:45:38
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Hi, I'm unsure where to put this.I have a possible fossil, I'm thinking of a fish head, which I found when agate hunting at a local rock quarry.I have no digital cam, so I scanned it.On the rock, there are small fossil tracks...but the interesting thing is the shape of the rock.Probably a coincidence, but....it is porous, but has good weight for its size.The "eye sockets" have small round petrified objects within, possibly mud?One side is slightly flattened, as if squashed under something heavy for a long time.I'm sorry the pics aren't better.I live in Iowa and was thinking of taking it to the university of Iowa science department to see if it is indeed a fossil.Any other suggestions?Input?Do you think it's a fossil?And how do I show you the pictures?There is no attachments button. [???]
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Load the photo(s) to a web repository such as photobucket. Click on the image icon above where you type your posts here (it's far left & looks like a picture frame). 2 tags will appear. Paste the link between them.
If you click Quote on this reply, you will see an example of image tags for the smiley. Don't worry about width & height, the system will do that for you.
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fwaving%2F1.gif&hash=d75b17abe08f71ade97df8c8e8da7604)
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OK, great.Here are the pics..sorry about the quality.Tried to get a pic of the "mouth" area,looks like plankton sifting teeth.(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0003-1.jpg&hash=3447040d886f479cd22a4b5e7e8dcd12)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0002-1.jpg&hash=452f8368c8bc1fbf93e8c453aee222d5)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0004.jpg&hash=a52b8b30f174dbacd68e2f1bce09b60d)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0003.jpg&hash=9b1cdcabdfa8f772a1fd1af0a92d35ea)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0002.jpg&hash=382a3fb96a6d7ed758fbadb3b4bea378)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0001-1.jpg&hash=43d0b4fe23688c7eea3a020623171013)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0001.jpg&hash=40e409a1f3f6bf9ba6604cb37ceecd9d)Sorry abut the quality.
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To me it looks like a stone that has had a face etched into it and has now been mostly eroded. But I know nothing about rocks nor fossils. Wait for JimBob or Bass to see the pics. They're a bit strange, but apparently they know their stuff. [:D]
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Odd!I wish I could show you in better detail...there are tracks across the bottom...almost like worms?I'm such a non expert, lol!But the right side, where the wedge is,goes all the way through to the socket of what I call eyes, almost like an ear vent....once again, I don't know.It's interesting you said carved, because I never even though of that.How would I tell?
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Maybe striation marks?
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It could be...they are awfully close together, though, and have a definite shape.Also, the material in the eyesockets has almost a screw like pattern...not spiral, but one of those tightly threaded screws that is kind of straight.
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You mean like rifling in a gun barrel?
Actually, I think this would be better placed in the Geology forum.
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It' probably would...I couldn't find that forum.Sorry. [:(]
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I'll notify an admin when I see 1 online. They can move it.
I've sent a message to Karen.
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It's possible they could be trace fossils (like worm burrows, etc). Those are very difficult to identify. Also, it could be that the actual fossil weathered out of the rock and all you have left is the matrix that surrounded it. The pictures are too grainy for me to really tell anything specific. Could you get your hands on an actual digital camera rather than using a scanner?
I will tell you that it very rare to find fossilized fish heads, especially ones that aren't squished flat.
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Thanks, I'd appreciate that.I'll be back later to see if anyone else may have ideas on this.thanks for your help.
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I will tell you that it very rare to find fossilized fish heads, especially ones that aren't squished flat.
I thought that; because they're cartilagenous.
Thanks, I'd appreciate that.I'll be back later to see if anyone else may have ideas on this.thanks for your help.
No problem
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Humans are biased towards interpreting patterns as faces (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia), e.g. face on moon or mars (http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast24may_1.htm),
i.e. your fossil may appear to be a skull when it is not.
I vote for trace fossils (burrows)...
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http://clasticdetritus.com/2007/11/14/rock-and-life-trace-fossils/
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RD - I'm well aware of that. I was simply applying Occam's razor.
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Right, I'm aware of matrixing, and that may be the case here.I wish I could get a better camera, but right now, I have no access to one.I will try this weekend to see if I can get one.In any case, there are trace fossils as you mentioned.I will scan the back and underside of this "Skull" and see if the patterns I'm trying to convey will show up.
It's possible they could be trace fossils (like worm burrows, etc). Those are very difficult to identify. Also, it could be that the actual fossil weathered out of the rock and all you have left is the matrix that surrounded it. The pictures are too grainy for me to really tell anything specific. Could you get your hands on an actual digital camera rather than using a scanner?
I will tell you that it very rare to find fossilized fish heads, especially ones that aren't squished flat.
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Sigh.Now the scanner is on the fritz.It will probably be this weekend before I can get you some better pics.Thanks for any help so far, I'll be back! [;D]
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Bigger versions of "skull"...
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My money is still on trace fossils.
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Looks a lot like some of the marks.Maybe that's what's in the "eye sockets?"
This type of critter may be responsible for the trace markings on your fossil
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Tentaculites richmondensis (http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KPS/pages/fossilphoto.html)
(reminds me of a Rawlplug)
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I agree with RD. Likely trace fossils. A fossilized fish would look something like this:
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.nationalgeographic.com%2Fnews%2Fbigphotos%2Fimages%2F061018-fossil-fish_big.jpg&hash=14ae6c67133f2ed4c3d489d15ef8c943)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sculpturegallery.com%2Fthree%2Ffossil_fish.jpg&hash=7289e8172a2d7caf39149cf268f97e43)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fossilmall.com%2FEDCOPE_Enterprises%2Ffish%2FGRLiops1%2FWFF061B.jpg&hash=32bcbb314ae6507a668014ad8f71b210)
The roundness of the stone suggests fluvial or marine processes at work. Can you give more information on where it was found?
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OK, great.Here are the pics..sorry about the quality.Tried to get a pic of the "mouth" area,looks like plankton sifting teeth.
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi526.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc346%2FNisnimnin%2FIMG_0004.jpg&hash=a52b8b30f174dbacd68e2f1bce09b60d)
Sorry abut the quality.
Come on It is obviously an Australopithecus fossil!!
[;D] [;D] [;D] [;D] [;D] [;D] [;D]
(Just kidding)
I'll be back home next week sometime.
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I live in Iowa, In the mississippi river valley.We have some gravel pits, or rock quarries, less than two miles down the road where we hunt agates.This is where I found it, right next to half a geode stone.I should have digital cam pics up by sunday.
I agree with RD. Likely trace fossils. A fossilized fish would look something like this:
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.nationalgeographic.com%2Fnews%2Fbigphotos%2Fimages%2F061018-fossil-fish_big.jpg&hash=14ae6c67133f2ed4c3d489d15ef8c943)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sculpturegallery.com%2Fthree%2Ffossil_fish.jpg&hash=7289e8172a2d7caf39149cf268f97e43)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fossilmall.com%2FEDCOPE_Enterprises%2Ffish%2FGRLiops1%2FWFF061B.jpg&hash=32bcbb314ae6507a668014ad8f71b210)
The roundness of the stone suggests fluvial or marine processes at work. Can you give more information on where it was found?