Calvert Cliff Question

[Jdeutsch]

I recently had the opportunity to go to Calvert Cliffs- We visited three beaches- Quite an interesting place.

There is a plethora of shell material - and my question is- how can you tell the ancient from the modern? It is quite easy if there is attached matrix- not so easy for an uninitiated person when finding an individual shell.

I suppose this question could be generalized to beaches around the world.

[siteseer]

If there is enough of the shell to identify to species, someone knowledgeable about shells will be able to identify it and then determine the age based on that. A shell collector or paleontologist can distinguish between Miocene-Pleistocene forms though some species of the Pleistocene still live today. As a rule, a fossil shell lacks the color of a modern one and may have more of a phosphatic preservation - more of a dull, chalky composition rather than a fresh, shiny look - but you can't always go by that.

For many beach areas known for modern shell collecting, there is a published ID guide or a website. You can sometimes find a guide for local fossils too. You can always post photos of any questionable ones in the ID section of this forum.

I recently had the opportunity to go to Calvert Cliffs- We visited three beaches- Quite an interesting place.

There is a plethora of shell material - and my question is- how can you tell the ancient from the modern? It is quite easy if there is attached matrix- not so easy for an uninitiated person when finding an individual shell.

I suppose this question could be generalized to beaches around the world.

[hfxbenoit]

Here's a link to The Fossil Guy site on the Calvert cliffs and surrounding area that may be able to help.

Link

[obsessed1]

Try this link to the Calvert Marine Museum's fossil identification listing. http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/exhibits/paleontology-fossil-id-guide-shells.php