Missing enamel on Megalodon tooth.

[fifbrindacier]

Hi, two weeks ago i found my first meg tooth on a site (Serravalllian) where all the other ones were found with their enamel and a grey or greenish colour. In  brown clay.

This one is light brown and its enamel seems to have vanished. Except in small parts where it isn't shiny.

I found it in a darker brown level that seemed to be Iron rich.

When i tried to prep it a bit snapped away and the surface in contact with the tooth appeared dark, shiny. Smoother than the matrix.

The matrix that is still on the tooth is very, very hard.

I wondered if the lack of enamel is only the result of weather or if the ferruginous matrix is involved.

Edited July 7, 2022 by fifbrindacier

[ynot]

On 7/7/2022 at 5:58 AM, fifbrindacier said:

Hi, two weeks ago i found my first meg tooth on a site

The serrations are still there so the enamel is still there.

The degradation of the tooth surface  was probably caused by acidic soil.

[fifbrindacier]

Thank you Tony, so the enamel is still there, only its surface has been damaged by the acidity of the Matrix. It probably also damaged its root.

Edited October 25, 2022 by fifbrindacier

[ynot]

4 hours ago, fifbrindacier said:

Thank you Tony, so the enamel is still there, only its surface has been damaged by the acidity of the Matrix. It probably also damaged its root.

yup