Here is another picture of the strange fossil I found whilst out walking. Any ideas,
You can edit your first posting; please add the further pictures there, thanks.
Also, we'd appreciate information on scale, location, situation.
Mike
Hello Mike
Thanks for the advice regarding my post. Unfortunately I can only edit from computer which I am without access to at this time.
The specimen is approx 20cm long x 5cm wide. It was found on a muddy pass on the side of Machen Mountain in Gwent.
It appears to have a vertabre a scull and an eye socket. It's a bone like texture to the front and the back appears to be a carbon material.
I apologise for my description.
THANKS
CARON
Interesting find U65CD well done.
I cannot make out what it is! opend the attachments - blown them up but still no wiser.
Noticed the lines in the side of the specimen and the crystaline structures as well that make me wonder - is it a mineral?
Maybe Mike can help on this one.
Tabfish
Hello
Thank you for your message. I have posted a more detailed description to mike.
Perhaps you will find this of some help?
Thanks
Caron
Caron,
Like Tabfish, I'm having difficulty coming to grips with your specimen.
I see the little cavities that suggest bone to you (alternatively, they could be where mineral grains have fallen out and/or solution pockets from encrusting lichens).
I see the eye socket, but I am not convinced.
I see also the brush-like marks in various directions and the white partial coating.
I see the small slab-like pieces cemented together (not necessarily by cement as such).
This does not strike me as fossil. I think it is man-made, though partly composed of natural rock. Accounting for the white areas and brush-like marks: it may have been painted with road-marking 'paint' at some time, perhaps when it was part of something larger (jerbing, signpost plinth, etc.)
Some local knowledge would be useful...
1. Hanson's have a quarry just north of the A468, at the eastern end of Machen. Perhaps you could take your specimen there for an opinion (go to the main office and ask if somebody familiar with the local rocks could give you an opinion).
2. David Cavell - who gave a talk on the local geology - http://cymdeithastwmbarlwm.blogspot.com/2012/09/twmbarlwm-time-machine-uncovering.html
(this might get you to him - http://www.gfgd.org/groups/leicester)
See also:
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/20701113/Machen-Quarry-extension-Carphilly (includes mention of the geology)
Mike