Hi Richard, you described a fossil as a possible dinosaur bone (someone also suggested a whale), but is it possible that this is a fossilised sponge? I have two pieces like you’ve described found on various beaches in Dorset, England. I know Mary Anning found the ichthyosaur on these beaches but I can’t think what dinosaur bone they may be. From the pictures you’ve seen what are your thoughts?
I did some research and that person found their fossil on the coast of South Carolina. Most fossils in that area include Hypacrosaurus (a hadrosaur), Deinosuchus (prehistoric crocodile), woolly mammoth, Similidon, and whales. It is possible it could be a sponge. I would need more pictures of your finds to compare. Looking at the picture of the fossil that person had, the pores looked small compared to some of the sponges in South Carolina. Also the end looked to have the resemblance of a joint where another bone met. It is also hard to classify them since I don’t have a lot of information or access to the fossil itself.
Thanks Richard, I’ve looked at sponges (on line images from Saffron Walden Museum and the Natural History Museum London, England) and to be honest they’re pretty obvious aren’t they?! I do believe my ‘sponge’ may actually be a bone but do you know what type of creature roamed the Jurassic Coast area of Dorset besides rauisuchians (there’s your crocodile for starters!), and pliosaurs – a marine reptile of course. I don’t believe that we had hadrosuars and whales but you never know!
Also the fossil beds and formations may be different in South Carolina than Dorset. That would explain why Hadrosaurus, mammoths, and other land animals were found in South Carolina. Where with Dorset, more marine fossils are found. I have not done much research on these areas so it is hard for me to tell. Do you have anymore questions?
Hi Richard! No more questions – I do believe you’re right regarding marine fossils, etc, that area of Dorset is very strong in anomites, gryphaea, saltwater gastropods and so on. So I expect if what I have is a bone then it is probably marine in nature. Many thanks for your insights and kind regards!
Hi Richard, you described a fossil as a possible dinosaur bone (someone also suggested a whale), but is it possible that this is a fossilised sponge? I have two pieces like you’ve described found on various beaches in Dorset, England. I know Mary Anning found the ichthyosaur on these beaches but I can’t think what dinosaur bone they may be. From the pictures you’ve seen what are your thoughts?
I did some research and that person found their fossil on the coast of South Carolina. Most fossils in that area include Hypacrosaurus (a hadrosaur), Deinosuchus (prehistoric crocodile), woolly mammoth, Similidon, and whales. It is possible it could be a sponge. I would need more pictures of your finds to compare. Looking at the picture of the fossil that person had, the pores looked small compared to some of the sponges in South Carolina. Also the end looked to have the resemblance of a joint where another bone met. It is also hard to classify them since I don’t have a lot of information or access to the fossil itself.
Thanks Richard, I’ve looked at sponges (on line images from Saffron Walden Museum and the Natural History Museum London, England) and to be honest they’re pretty obvious aren’t they?! I do believe my ‘sponge’ may actually be a bone but do you know what type of creature roamed the Jurassic Coast area of Dorset besides rauisuchians (there’s your crocodile for starters!), and pliosaurs – a marine reptile of course. I don’t believe that we had hadrosuars and whales but you never know!
Also the fossil beds and formations may be different in South Carolina than Dorset. That would explain why Hadrosaurus, mammoths, and other land animals were found in South Carolina. Where with Dorset, more marine fossils are found. I have not done much research on these areas so it is hard for me to tell. Do you have anymore questions?
Hi Richard! No more questions – I do believe you’re right regarding marine fossils, etc, that area of Dorset is very strong in anomites, gryphaea, saltwater gastropods and so on. So I expect if what I have is a bone then it is probably marine in nature. Many thanks for your insights and kind regards!
You’re welcome. Good luck on your future fossil finding.