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What Kind of Fossil Did the Hiker Find?
- Thread starter lookingdown
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In summary, this person found a rock that looks like it may be a fossil and is wondering what kind of fossil it is. The rock was found in Ohio and is roughly 11"-12" long and about 3" in diameter.
![387324125_1339545792_0[1].jpg](/data/attachments/13/13697-41f2926246f1ebbdfe72c621400f1841.jpg)
![mmi[1].jpg](/data/attachments/13/13698-b0bf2cd4583cdfd3f7b600ef1679825b.jpg)
- #2
Evo
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Please make sure that you pay attention to which forum you post in, I have moved this to earth. Those pictures are too tiny. Do you have any larger pictures you can post?
- #3
lookingdown
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I will be going back to location over the weekend. I will be getting larger and better quality pictures. Thank you for redirecting me to the correct forum.
- #4
matthyaouw
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Looks a bit like part of a lepidodendron or similar. Some kind of carboniferous age 'tree'.
I can't be certain at all without bigger pictures. Do you know the age of the rock it was found in?
I can't be certain at all without bigger pictures. Do you know the age of the rock it was found in?
- #5
Dadface
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It looks a bit like a belemnite.
- #6
Evo
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Where did you find it? That might help.
- #7
lookingdown
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Im not sure how old the rock is, but i can tell you it is found in Ohio around a stream..
- #8
Evo
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Do you have a University nearby? You could take it in and have someone in paleontology look at it.
- #9
matthyaouw
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What section of this map was it found in? http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/images/naturalHistory/rocks/geosystems.gif
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- #10
baywax
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Very cool find! Excellent eyeball action!
To me this looks like an oversized, petrified horse tail plant.
here's a petrified chunk of tree... compared to what you've found this looks pretty complex so what you have there could be pretty primitive and old.
http://z.about.com/d/geology/1/0/v/D/1/woodfossilmt.jpg
Also, what you have could also be a piece of culturally modified stone so it could be an archaeological/anthropological find. Transport it carefully in any case!
To me this looks like an oversized, petrified horse tail plant.
here's a petrified chunk of tree... compared to what you've found this looks pretty complex so what you have there could be pretty primitive and old.
http://z.about.com/d/geology/1/0/v/D/1/woodfossilmt.jpg
Also, what you have could also be a piece of culturally modified stone so it could be an archaeological/anthropological find. Transport it carefully in any case!
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- #11
Xnn
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matthyaouw said:
Interesting link:
The surface rocks of Ohio span the time periods from the Ordovicain to the Permian.
That is between 488 to 251 million years ago.
During most of that time, Ohio was underwater in a shallow sea or part of a large swamp.
That's because sea levels were as much as 180 meters higher than they are now.
As ice ages came and went, sea levels fluctuated.
Eventually, sea level reached 20 meters lower than it is currently and the stratia of eastern Ohio was above water for an exteneded period.
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- #12
lookingdown
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See the problem with taking it anywhere, is that it's on state park property so I wanted to get some opinions on the object before I informed them of it. I have always been looking down at rocks and fossil hunting so I was sure that it was a fossil, but didn't know if it was a bone structure or a that of a tree. I will be going this weekend to take more photos.
- #13
Evo
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That's awesome lookingdown. Get more pictures!lookingdown said:
There is a young guy that has made significant dinosaur fossil finds and there was a Discovery Channel documentary about him.
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geologyrocks
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lookingdown said:
It's some kind of fossil tree branch or root by the look of it. A specialist could tell you more though!
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- #17
baywax
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Looks like one heck of a nice specimen!
Your park officials need to know about this to protect it or remove it.
You wouldn't want to see it chiseled out of situ and sold at the pawn shop.
Your park officials need to know about this to protect it or remove it.
You wouldn't want to see it chiseled out of situ and sold at the pawn shop.
FAQ: What Kind of Fossil Did the Hiker Find?
What is a fossil?
A fossil is the preserved remains or impression of a plant or animal that lived in the past. Fossils are typically found in rocks and can provide evidence of past life on Earth.
How do you identify a fossil?
To identify a fossil, you should first examine its physical characteristics such as shape, size, and texture. Then, you can compare it to known fossil specimens or use resources such as field guides or online databases to help determine its identity.
What tools do you need to identify a fossil?
Some useful tools for identifying fossils include a magnifying glass, a ruler, and a field guide or identification key. You may also need a hammer and chisel to extract the fossil from its surrounding rock.
What should I do if I find a fossil?
If you find a fossil, it is important to leave it in its original location and report it to the appropriate authorities. This will help ensure that the fossil is properly documented and preserved for scientific study.
Can fossils tell us about Earth's history?
Yes, fossils can provide valuable information about Earth's history, including the types of organisms that lived in different time periods and how the environment and climate have changed over time. By studying fossils, scientists can also learn about the evolution of different species and the relationships between them.