This is the "Fossil Friday" post #145. Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website. We will post any fossil pictures you send in to [email protected]. Please include a short description or story. Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!
-----------------------------------------------------
Today, we have some interesting fossil fish teeth. They come from the Pongo River Formation in Aurora, North Carolina, which dates to the Miocene Epoch between 12 and 20 million year ago. The Aurora Fossil Museum in Aurora, North Carolina sells micro fossil kits. The kits allow you to experience collecting the formation in the comfort of your home. Probably a very relaxing activity for cold winter days and nights...
If you visit the museum, you can collect fossils in a large pile of material from a nearby phosphate mine - Nutrien Phosphate Mine.
The main museum houses a wide variety of Miocene and Pliocene marine fossils with most displays showcasing specimens collected from the neighboring Nutrien Phosphate Mine (formerly known as Texas Gulf Sulfur, PCS Phosphate, PotashCorp). Featured in our shark hall are the remnants of the terror of the Miocene-Pliocene seas, C. megalodon!
Dig for your own fossils in the Pits of the Pungo!
ESCONI First Vice President Dr. Katherine Howard sent in these photos of fossilized fish teeth from a kit she purchased recently. These tiny fish teeth are pretty detailed and very cool. Oh, did I mention they are tiny?!? Here is the description that Katherine sent with her photos.
I like sorting through sand grands, stalking insects and seeing the micro world. A friend recommended The Aurora Museum’s Micro Fossils kit which includes 2 gallons of micro fossil gravel from the Pongo River Formation, Aurora, North Carolina dated 12-20 million years. The price was $40 and included shipment...irresistible.
Sorting through the gravel, I found some fossilized bony fish teeth. Near as I can tell, these teeth are from a Sea Bream fish or similar species.
In the fossil gravel, I have found around 300 shark teeth, numerous fish bones, ray mouth plates, drum fish teeth, etc. I am still sorting and identifying so more photos are sure to follow.
Thanks for sharing, Katherine! Please send along some of your future finds!
