I usually try to envision the environment as I collect. How deep was the water? how clear? What did I find the most of specimen wise, what is rare? Why? Who was eating who? But then, I am looking at ALL the things there, not just the shark teeth. You picked up predominantly the teeth, but the invertebrates are much more common. I collect exclusively the bottom of the quarry – almost exclusively Oligocene marine. Not sure I can be of much help in asking questions of the upper spoil piles.