Mississippi Fossil

[D Cook]

There is a hill in south central Mississippi that is apparently constructed entirely of fossilized shells and "rocks" (bones) like this one. Can anyone help me learn more about this particular speciman? I have a good number of the shells also.  Thanks!        DCook

[FossilDAWG]

I agree that specimen has a superficial bone-like shape, but I don't see any texture that is characteristic of bone, and I can't really place it within a skeleton.  I think it might be a chunk of weathered sandstone, which can commonly occur in some of the Paleogene formations in southern Mississippi.  I would be interested in seeing some of the fossil shells you have found, as they might be useful to identify the geological formation and age of the rock.

 

Don

[D Cook]

[Fossildude19]

I agree, not seeing any bone texture. Could be worn limestone, as well.

[FossilDAWG]

Looks like typical Eocene or Oligocene fauna.  @MikeR could probably be more definitive.  Perhaps you could share the name of a nearby town, or landmark, or the county?  Having an idea of the locality often leads to better information about the age or geology.  At any rate I am envious of those echinoids in particular.  Looks like you have a productive site to work with.

 

Don

[MikeR]

The echinoid appears to be Clypeaster rogersi, the pecten Chlamys byramensis and the oyster Lopha vicksburgensis.  All are Lower Oligocene in age; probably Glendon/Marrianna Limestone

Edited April 6, 2022 by MikeR