Some fossil finds from my recent South Dakota trip

[EricTheCat]

Greetings.

I thought I would share some fossil finds from a recent trip to South Dakota to collect rocks and fossils. It was a field trip organized by a rock shop. I did not find anything too great but it was fun to get out and find things that I would not normally find in my area.

Individual tooth and right jaw section are likely some type of Oreodont (sheep), left jaw section may be from a small deer-like animal (hypertragulid?). Left of the quarter some kind of gastropod (snail). I have not cleaned any of the bone fragments yet, a little gun shy until I read up on it as I know some bone is very sensitive to water.


It was quite the adventure. I can safely say this location was the furthest off the beaten path I have ever been. The drive out there took us through parkland where we saw many buffalo, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, many deer and a coyote. Here is a pic to show the kind of area we were searching.


It was a good time spent with good people. I hope you enjoy.

Happy hunting,
Eric

 

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[AeroMike]

I would love to goo there and od some hunting. I have an Oreodont skull from there.

 

[EricTheCat]

I would love to goo there and od some hunting. I have an Oreodont skull from there.

Interesting. Did you find the skull? No one found any complete skulls that I know of in our group this trip but it has happened before from what I gathered. Some people found turtle shell fossils and a few larger jaw sections were found one that might belong to some kind of ancient cat. I was a little bummed that I did not find any artifacts, which the site is known for (this was on private property and we did have permission). Still very glad I went and definitely plan to go next year if I am able.

 

[AeroMike]

Interesting. Did you find the skull? No one found any complete skulls that I know of in our group this trip but it has happened before from what I gathered. Some people found turtle shell fossils and a few larger jaw sections were found one that might belong to some kind of ancient cat. I was a little bummed that I did not find any artifacts, which the site is known for (this was on private property and we did have permission). Still very glad I went and definitely plan to go next year if I am able.

I wasn't the finder of the skull, I made some trades for it and it needs to be prepped before display. The teeth are brittle. it is the full skull and about 10-12" long? trying to remember but I could be off on that but not by much lol. I'll see if I can find the photos on my old phone. It is packed up and in storage at the moment along with most my collection.