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Todd83 posted a new specimen in the group What is it? from the myFOSSIL app 3 years, 1 month ago
3 years, 1 month ago3 years, 1 month agoTodd83 has contributed specimen mFeM 97597 to myFOSSIL!
Todd83 posted a new specimen in the group What is it? from the myFOSSIL app 3 years, 1 month ago
Todd83 has contributed specimen mFeM 97597 to myFOSSIL!
Oyster or clam most likely
Thanks @a-trilobite
oyster or clam. a modern day one, not a fossil.
@leonardo-miranda it looks like a fossil to me, why do you think it’s modern?
It’s veryI believe it’s a fossil
It’s veryI believe it’s a fossil
It’s verI believe it’s a fossil
Sorry, meant say it’s heavy and solid like a rock
@a-trilobite as far as l can tell, it’s still composed of the original calcium shell and shows no rock.
@leonardo-miranda well it’s embedded in the rock, that only happens with fossils
@a-trilobite l see why’d you think it’s embedded in rock, but it actually isn’t. that entire rocky mass IS the shell. this specimen definitely grew quite big, and created a lot of excess shell material giving it such a rough and lumpy appearance, but it is nevertheless a modern specimen that died not too long ago.
you can make out the wavy shape and growth layers of the shell in Picture 2
@leonardo-miranda oohhhhhh. Well in that case, I see what you mean and it is modern
@a-trilobite @leonardo-miranda Well Ive contacted the Mexico Geology Department and they are sure interested in my clam fossil… just joking, hopefully you get the reference or it won’t be very funny 😄… anyway, I appreciate the information guys. Do either of you (or anyone else of course) know of a way to test specimens that are questionable on whether or not they are modern or a fossil? Or have any guidance on what to look for?
1: I actually don’t get the reference, can you explain 2: fossils are made of stone and minerals, so they are much heavier than modern bones/shells/ect. Also modern remains tend to be white or cream colored while fossilized remains tend to be darker colored like black, brown, dark grey, or tan in desert areas. One more thing is that modern remains are hollow and are just as they are in life, but fossils are filled with solid rock that has formed inside or around it.
Thanks for the info @a-trilobite As for the reference to my sad attempt at being humorous, you would have to go to the “what is it” main page and scroll down to 24 days ago and read the opening post
I’m not sure why that sent twice, but could you tag me in the what is it post, because I don’t think I’ll find it
@a-trilobite it’s actually the 8th post that you come to 24 days ago when scrolling up. Then view the comments… if you care to, don’t blame you if you don’t …. thanks again
Yes it was
@a-trilobite yes, l do think l remember avy grey saying something like that before, during his reign of terror.
So there are some things I want to clarify. First off fossils can definitely be made of original materials. A lot of fossil shells are still the exact same as when they were buried. This means that the colour will not change. Look at: https://www.google.com/amp/s/timescavengers.blog/introductory-material/what-is-paleontology/types-of-preservation/%3famp Oysters and other organisms do attach themselves to rocks and other material by cementing themselves so it could still be modern and attached to a rock. The tests mentions above are all rule of thumbs. Most people assume modern until proven fossil attack. If you really wanted a to be one hundred percent certain that it was a not a fossil even though it seems modern would be to date it. There are some crazy processes such as zombie fossils that can be very misleading. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_taxon
@a-trilobite and @leonardo-miranda cool reads especially the last on zombie fossils, check them out ☺️
@chloe-geddes fascinating. that’s quite helpful to know. thanks for the info! 👍🏻
Of course! That’s what is so awesome about geology and paleontology, there are so many cool and unusual events we have to figure out! Happy hunting!
Thank you @chloe-geddes for the information. The time scavenger blog link was very helpful and interesting. Going to check out the zombie link shortly. This specimen weighs a good deal more than what a modern clam would weigh and it is solid like rock. I think it’s a fossil but not 100% certain so I will see what I can do with determining a date. Thanks again!