Help with ID - Exceptionally Detailed Fossil

[jakesrocks]

The grid pattern is a Bryozoan from the Fenestrella species.

[jimc8154]

I uploaded some more photos of the fossils and the rock in general.

www.flickr.com/photos/99955771@N03/

It looks like it may contain more inside the rock.

I did find an artists photo of some seed pods that greatly resemble these but he did not say what they were (what he mentions don't fit) - here artpropelled.blogspot.com/2010/05/seed-pod-inspiration.html

[jakesrocks]

Hmmmmm, I wonder ?
Huesos de dátiles fosilizados. Museo Jerónimo Molina de Jumilla (Murcia)
The first evidence which demonstrates the Iberian's incorporation of the palm tree into their funeral rituals are the fossilized Date Palm seeds on display in the Jerónimo Molina de Jumilla Museum. The seeds were discovered in a mass grave in the depths of the “Cueva de los Tiestos”, a cave located in the “Sierra de las Cabras” in the municipality of Jumilla, Murcia (Spain). It is thought that the seeds were buried along with the deceased for use as food in the next life. Through the analysis of their Carbon 14 content, experts have dated the fossils back to 1800 BC, almost 4000 years ago, and one millennium before the Phoenicians set foot on the Iberian Peninsula.

Damn, the pic of the fossil seeds didn't come up. I'll get the link.

Here we go. Scroll down the page a little ways. www.palmerasyjardines.com/en/cgi-bin/article.asp?aid=7

These date back to 1800 BC, but palms have been around for millions of years.

[helens]

Well he did say what they were... Erythrina. But there's no fossil record of that pod, and the only fossil of one I could find is the leaf:
www.fossilplants.com/site_arc/index.cfm?action=item&prod_id=4052&

But your fossil does look like the pod...

(unless it's a coffee bean forbearer)

[jamesp]

A view of date palm seeds for what it is worth

[jakesrocks]

Gettin late. Tomorrow I'll dig out the Fossil Bible and see if I can find something that fits.

[jimc8154]

I've uploaded some impressions using medical silicon rubber putty to bring out the texture.

www.flickr.com/photos/99955771@N03/

The pattern reminds me of that on the surface of a Brazil nut. One thing that really intrigues me is the near perfect symmetry.

Question, is the fossil in the rock a mold or a cast (is the rock or impressions what they would have looked like)?

Finally, is it best to leave the rock as is or can it be gently cleaned with water and a soft brush?

Thanks for all of the interest and input!

[jimc8154]

By the way, the other guy's similar fossil ( www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806448857/ & www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806442131/in/set-72157606044122574 )was found in Alaska while mine from Quincy, IL.

Either an extraordinary coincidence or fairly wide ranging. Should be fairly common I would think. The base rock seems to be "spongy chert? chalcedony?" I suppose it could have been contained in a glacial erratic making it's way to North Eastern IL. Would love to send it through a MRI type scanner and get pics of internal layers.

[rockpickerforever]

Wow, nice impressions! Those should get you a definitive answer. I'm leaning towards palm seed with Don.

[jakesrocks]

Aug 24, 2013 8:17:19 GMT -5 jimc8154 said:

By the way, the other guy's similar fossil ( www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806448857/ & www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806442131/in/set-72157606044122574 )was found in Alaska while mine from Quincy, IL.

Either an extraordinary coincidence or fairly wide ranging. Should be fairly common I would think. The base rock seems to be "spongy chert? chalcedony?" I suppose it could have been contained in a glacial erratic making it's way to North Eastern IL. Would love to send it through a MRI type scanner and get pics of internal layers.

Jim, in the answers to the first link one of the members mentioned elliptical columnal crinoids. I don't believe that is what you have. Your specimens lack the center hole that would be present in crinoid stem sections. Gonna dig the books out this afternoon, and see if I can find an answer for you.

One of my first thoughts when I saw your pics was Scutes. Fossil bony plates left by crocks and certain rays. But I'm sure that's not what you have. I don't have any crock scutes, but this would be a ray scute.

[jamesp]

This is eating at me.

[helens]

already told you, they're coffee beans.

[jamesp]

Ya think?

[helens]

until we get id, why not?

[jamesp]

Let's pretend.

[helens]

[jamesp]

Who is she. From Jamestown NY i believe.

[Deleted]

Aug 24, 2013 8:17:19 GMT -5 jimc8154 said:

By the way, the other guy's similar fossil ( www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806448857/ & www.flickr.com/photos/dcartiersr/2806442131/in/set-72157606044122574 )was found in Alaska while mine from Quincy, IL.

Either an extraordinary coincidence or fairly wide ranging.

Trilobites are found in many places. No reason these couldn't too. It's wierd that our fellow smart folks haven't pinned it already. THAT is what is rare! Lots of knowledge here every day.

[jamesp]

Scott, i have been reeling on this one which don't mean much. Spent a little time searching. So far that fossil Helen posted is closest fossil to me.

[Fossilman]

Look up Pecopteris,its so close with pics,that its not funny!