jpc Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 I am visiting my wife’s brother and he found these in the desert in egypt many years ago. He was told they are fossilized camel dung. Anyone out there know what they are for reals? They are very dense. I hope the pix are ok. This is my first ever post from my phone. Adult human hand for scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Interesting. My guess is iron pyrite, similar to "boji balls" or "shaman stones" or "Moqui marbles." http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) Following Harry's lead I think they are prophecy stones. Edited August 15, 2022 by Lone Hunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 15, 2022 Author Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) Pyrite sounds good but where is the golden color? prophesy stones… to be googled Edited August 15, 2022 by jpc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth_ Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 I'm here just for the title of this thread I have no clue what they are but they're definitely interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daves64 Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) Could be goethite or hematite pseudomorph's after pyrite. Edited August 15, 2022 by daves64 1 1 Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Pyrite usually forms cuboid crystals, sometimes forming in close association to form raspberry-shaped masses called framboids. There are a number of forms more complex than F2S2 . . . I just don't know what produces the black cortex. Maybe it's hematite which also produces framboids -- it certainly take a high polish. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 If this helps, Prophecy Stones are a Limonite & Hematite pseudomorph after Marcasite. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 15, 2022 Author Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) 40 minutes ago, daves64 said: Could be goethite or hematite pseudomorph's after pyrite. Now, this i like. Answers the color, crystal shapes and density. Edited August 15, 2022 by jpc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoast Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Whatever they are, they could be coated in rock varnish which can be black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Egypt is well know for prophecy stones which are only found in one desert in Egypt and old folklore is where the dung thing came from. Kinda made sense thats what these are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemipristis Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 3 hours ago, Lone Hunter said: If this helps, Prophecy Stones are a Limonite & Hematite pseudomorph after Marcasite. crystal form suggests the original material was marcasite 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' George Santayana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 6 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: Pyrite usually forms cuboid crystals, sometimes forming in close association to form raspberry-shaped masses called framboids. What an interesting thread (not only for the subject title). I think some indie rock band has missed the opportunity to name themselves The Framboids. It's my vocabulary word of the day. Cheers. -Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 15, 2022 Author Share Posted August 15, 2022 Thanks everyone, my brother in law will be sad to not have found camel poop, but wiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Most days I try my hardest to avoid camel poop and I seem to be succeeding remarkably well. Nice to have a diverse membership who can readily recognize these geologic oddities. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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