ashcraft Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) I teach school in Perry county, Missouri, which is primarily composed of Paleozoic rock, mostly Ordovician, with a little Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian mixed in. There is also the odd Quarternary alluvial deposit. A student brought me this massive shell in today. It is extremely heavy, and at least mineral encrusted. I have never seen anything like it out of a Paleozoic deposit. Any opinions on what and when it is? Is it fresh or salt water? Brent Ashcraft Edited October 12, 2011 by ashcraft ashcraft, brent allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squalicorax Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Oddly enough it reminds me of Mercenaria the Cenozoic clam My Flickr Page of My Collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79424101@N00/sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I've never seen one of these in Missouri, however, my primary focus is the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian. Ask your student to guide you to the collecting locality. Who knows what other kinds of fossils can be found there PS: I'm sure Bruce or Russ could quickly ID your student's find including the time period. If you talk to Bruce or Russ... Please reply here with the ID and the geological information. Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashcraft Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 I've never seen one of these in Missouri, however, my primary focus is the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian. Ask your student to guide you to the collecting locality. Who knows what other kinds of fossils can be found there PS: I'm sure Bruce or Russ could quickly ID your student's find including the time period. If you talk to Bruce or Russ... Please reply here with the ID and the geological information. Will do. The student said he found it when he was "young"-(he is 16). Doesn't remember where, but thinks it was in Perry county in one of the creeks. I agree the shell looks modern, which is near impossible from the location. As I understand it, this area uplifted in the Permian, and has been above water since. If it is a fresh water type, it could have been deposited by the ancient Mississippi, but I have never seen a fresh water clam that is so massive. I don't think the shell is even fossilized, although it is encrusted with mineral (not just covering, but firmly attached). Very odd thing. Brent Ashcraft ashcraft, brent allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I wonder if it is a brachiopod(the seemingly unfossilized shell kind of throws a wrench in that, though). I've found them at least that large. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashcraft Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 I have never seen a brach tht large around here (or anywhere for that matter). However, it is not bilateraly symmetrical (I think is the term- across the shell), so I don't think it is a brach. Brent Ashcraft ashcraft, brent allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilobiteruss Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Looks like a mesozoic clam to me, there are some big ones. The thickness does not look like typical freshwater ones I have seen, but reminds me of big ones I have seen out west. But I am not really a clam expert so I cannot ID that easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) I didn't think the shell looked modern to my eyes...Its obviously a fossil Since the student's memory is vague...I'm wondering if the student might be mistaken and this fossil was collected somewhere outside of Missouri. I've never seen anything like this from Missouri Maybe Bruce has? . Edited October 14, 2011 by Indy Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashcraft Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Since the student's memory is vague...I'm wondering if the student might be mistaken and this fossil was collected somewhere outside of Missouri. That is entirely possible, but he is "preety sure" it was found locally. I don't see how though. I need to talk with hime some more. Brent ashcraft, brent allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 It could be a Native American trade good dropped or discarded. November, 2016 April, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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