Mosasaurhunter Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 Hello, I have a question about fossil shark teeth. I was wondering if it is scientifically possible if shark teeth could decay and turn into a steinkern during the fossilization process Also wondering if some tooth shaped rock may have been a tooth at one time, before decaying and sediment filling in the impression of the tooth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 (edited) I'm a newer hobbyist (and don't have a background in science), so I probably can't explain this as well as others, but I'll do my best. This explains how the different materials in shark teeth fossilize: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/are-shark-teeth-fossils-true-fossils/#:~:text=The short version%3A The shark,are found in local creeks. You can find really worn teeth that have lost all of their enamel and I would assume the dentin then mineralizes more, but its not going to be the same material and texture as a steinkern of a gastropod, for example. You can still tell it's not a tooth shaped rock. Edited June 23 by Fin Lover 1 1 Fin Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosasaurhunter Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 6 minutes ago, Fin Lover said: I'm a newer hobbyist (and don't have a background in science), so I probably can't explain this as well as others, but I'll do my best. This explains how the different materials in shark teeth fossilize: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/are-shark-teeth-fossils-true-fossils/#:~:text=The short version%3A The shark,are found in local creeks. You can find really worn teeth that have lost all of their enamel and I would assume the dentin then mineralizes to some extent, but its not going to be the same material and texture as a steinkern of a gastropod, for example. You can still definitely tell it's not a tooth shaped rock. Thank you, thats very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fin Lover Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 (edited) 35 minutes ago, Mosasaurhunter said: Thank you, thats very helpful. We'll see how much of my answer gets corrected or worded differently. Edited June 23 by Fin Lover Fin Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 No. A steinkern, or internal mold, is the hardened filling inside of a hollow fossil such as a gastropod or clam per professional invertebrate paleontologists. There is no hollow inside of a shark tooth to fill. 2 1 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 An external cast is theoretically possible from the mould left after a tooth is lost from a matrix, leaving an external mould which could be filled with different sediment or mineral. Probably only a partial cast would be possible as the tooth would have to fall out - I don't think there's anything naturally occurring that would dissolve one and leave the matrix? I was only thinking this because of this little (8mm) Mississippian one in shale that I have where the central crown has been lost. 1 Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 38 minutes ago, TqB said: An external cast is theoretically possible from the mould left after a tooth is lost from a matrix, leaving an external mould which could be filled with different sediment or mineral. Probably only a partial cast would be possible as the tooth would have to fall out - I don't think there's anything naturally occurring that would dissolve one and leave the matrix? I was only thinking this because of this little (8mm) Mississippian one in shale that I have where the central crown has been lost. I have seen pictures of opalized vertebrate bones (casts) from Australia. I wonder what the conditions were for the bones to be replaced by opal. https://www.opalauctions.com/learn/did-you-know/australian-dinosaurs-opalised-bones 2 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 2 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said: I have seen pictures of opalized vertebrate bones (casts) from Australia. I wonder what the conditions were for the bones to be replaced by opal. https://www.opalauctions.com/learn/did-you-know/australian-dinosaurs-opalised-bones That's an interesting one, and it includes teeth where the chemistry is different. Maybe a version of molecule by molecule silica replacement from percolating fluid? I know that the molluscs (including the lovely belemnites that I've always coveted) are just cavity fills, external casts. Potted explanation of both types: How Do Opalised Fossils Form? 1 Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 (edited) 22 hours ago, TqB said: An external cast is theoretically possible from the mould left after a tooth is lost from a matrix, leaving an external mould which could be filled with different sediment or mineral. Probably only a partial cast would be possible as the tooth would have to fall out - I don't think there's anything naturally occurring that would dissolve one and leave the matrix? I was only thinking this because of this little (8mm) Mississippian one in shale that I have where the central crown has been lost. I had an almost external cast of a Campodus tooth. If the concretion had cracked prior to being redeposted into the shallowater limestone (like many concretions at the site) and if the rest of the tooth came out, a majority sediment cast may have been possible. That would still be ungodly rare to occur however, but surprisingly possible. Its a rare case and depositional environment, but I thought it would be interesting to share the idea. Edited June 25 by Samurai 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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