Gilligan Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) If you could pick one or two fossils from each of the eras for starting a collection, which ones would you choose? 1. Precambrian 2. Paleozoic 3. Mesozoic 4. Cenozoic NOTE: If I go offline suddenly, it is because I use a public computer at a library (because I don't have one at home) and I'm only allowed two one-hour sessions daily, and my time ran out for the day. If I don't respond to an active post I'm involved with right away, I will within a day or two. Edited July 16, 2014 by Gilligan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanNREMTP Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I would start with Precambrian. I would just love to find something that old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilligan Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 I would start with Precambrian. I would just love to find something that old. Stromatolites come to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 For the Precambrian you need a stromatolite, and I would suggest a Nemiana as well (not too hard to get an example.. try ebay) For the remaining 3 eras there is lots to choose from.. Paleozoic: trilobite, crinoid, brachiopod, any Carboniferous plant - especially the trilo Mesozoic: ammonite, dino bone (incomplete chunks not hard to acquire) Ceonozoic: things look much more like modern lifeforms so take your pick - snails and clams, shark tooth, Eocene lake deposits with fish and leaves (common in the West)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 As far as I'm concerned any Precambrian fossil is gold. I love really old fossils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paleoworld-101 Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 For Cenozoic I would go ice age megafauna fossils like a mammoth tooth or hair sample. If that's too recent then perhaps some green river fish or baltic amber. "In Africa, one can't help becoming caught up in the spine-chilling excitement of the hunt. Perhaps, it has something to do with a memory of a time gone by, when we were the prey, and our nights were filled with darkness..." -Eternal Enemies: Lions And Hyenas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilligan Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 Pumpkinhead: I like them too. Paleoworld-101: The Knightia Eocaena was the first fossil I bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 If you could find a eurypterid fossil that would be an interesting pick for the Paleozoic category Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Also if you had a eurypterid you would be able to say that you own a giant 400 million year old sea scorpion of death. It would be a great conversation starter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Each period has its iconic fossils; a pretty cool collection could be assembled from that list that would tell the story of life on Earth. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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