New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 Hello everyone. I am coming to you with a request for help with an item I want to sell on eBay. We picked it up at an estate sale and know nothing at all about its origin. I'm not into fossils, beyond picking up crinoid segments here on our property. So forgive my ignorance. I believe this is a modern skull which someone embedded into some sort of cement-like substance in order to create a "fossil." I'm hoping that's not the case, naturally, but even if so we plan to sell it as a novelty, clearly identified as a fake. It's 4.5" long from the front to the back. I appreciate any and all help with this. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharks of SC Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 looks like an authentic fossil of an oreodont from the badlands of South Dakota (compare with Merycoidodon culbertsoni ). I think its real, but I'll wait for more experienced collectors in this field to weigh in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 I think it real, but maybe @jpc can verify Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Search the auction site you mentioned for "oreodont skull." From the photos alone, your piece has the appearance of a partial oreodont skull and lower jaw. It would be from the badlands and round about 30 million years old (Oligocene). It would be from the White River Formation. Again, from the photos alone it appears "real," that is, an actual fossil. The matrix seems a bit darker tan in color than I am used to seeing, but that may be in the photography. Good luck, have fun. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 Oreodont. Does that mean it has specialized teeth for eating Oreos? Sorry, could not resist. You guys are awesome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 20 minutes ago, bugpuncher said: Oreodont. Does that mean it has specialized teeth for eating Oreos? That would be more logical, but in reality, its name is "mountain tooth". 1 Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruitbat Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 I"ll toss in my vote for it being an authentic partial oreodont skull but I'd lean a little more heavily toward the Miniochoerus gracile line than Merycoidodon culbertsoni. Here's what an intact (and unrestored) Miniochoerus gracile looks like: -Joe 2 Illigitimati non carborundum Fruitbat's PDF Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 You guys are the best. God bless you all, and thanks so much! I did some reading on this site and elsewhere about fake fossils and it seems they are so common that the chances of this one being authentic were pretty small. I knew the bone was actual bone due to the sutures, but the matrix seemed too uniform. Husband says Sacrete and Quikrete are not as dense as this material but we still didn't know. Thanks for being such a help. I'm going to wait for a few more opinions here on this forum before I put the thing up for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yup...White River oreodont skull. Probably not form SoDak. Nebraska or right here in Wyoming. SoDak Whiter River fossils tend to have a lot of red and pink staining. Yes, it is a genuine 35 million year old fossil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 Awesome. Any other thoughts, given that I intend to sell it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Just to say good luck in your endeavor Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 Thank you all again. Happy fossilizing to you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Great estate sale find! John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelius Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 If you plan on selling it on a well known auction site, I'll be keeping an eye out. It's a beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 27, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 27, 2017 Thanks, John Brewer! 3 minutes ago, Aurelius said: If you plan on selling it on a well known auction site, I'll be keeping an eye out. It's a beauty. I certainly do, probably later this evening. Will need to do some research to find a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members bugpuncher Posted November 29, 2017 Author New Members Share Posted November 29, 2017 Folks, the Oreodont skull is now available. Thanks again for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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