Tennessee River Rock - Fossil ID

[150FromFundy]

I have been having trouble identifying the fossils in this rock. Maybe one of you will have some ideas. I have attached an overall photo of the rock and some close-ups of the individual fossils.

For what it is worth … this rock was originally found in a river or lake near Tullahoma, Tennessee. It appears to be limestone showing some rust staining on the outer layer and some fine crystallization in the center.

The fossils appear to be staked “disks”, rather than a continuous spiral. Each “disk” has a fair amount of detail with radial lines all around the “disk”. The individual fossils range in size from 1/8” to 1/2”.

Thanks for looking.

Darryl.

The overall rock, dropped many years ago.


One of the more intact fossils.


“Disks” showing radial lines.




Appearance of staked “disks”

[Thunder69]

Looks like you have some Cronoid stem fossils...Those are cool ..They have an inverted look to them.......John

[jamesp]

Yep,crinoids is my guess too.I found many in caves around Chatanooga TN.Those are unique though.Looks like the screw/bolt threads are the center and the cylindrical outer part dissolved away leaving those centers.
www.google.com/search?q=crinoid+fossils&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4TSNF_enUS455US455&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kNNBUdakG5LA4APWsIA4&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=1350&bih=529

[Mark K]

I agree. When I was at Ft Campbell, I did a lot of fossil hunting. Those look like crinoids to me.
Funny thing is that I hardly ever found the stems, only the heads.

[rockpickerforever]

Foxtail, around here (Southern California), I've only found some short stems and some loose disks, and not the heads. I'd love to find a crinoid head! (must watch how I word things...) Jean

[150FromFundy]

Thanks all! Crinoids it is. darryl.

[Fossilman]

Yuppers to all..............Nice find...

[garock]

On some of the field trips to Dale Hollow Lake we have found crinoid plates. Very cool and they are agaitized and take a nice polish. They are a pale blue grey color. Make beautiful cabs. I did find a arkamedies (can't spell) or screw fossil. It was agatized also. So cool. Also found the calix heads there too. Only time to really hunt on Dale Hollow Lake is when the water level is low between late October to February.