A few fossils coming up in a field were metal detecting

Rob1981

Jr. Member
Nov 16, 2018
59
160
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hi guys found this in a field in England, Herts I've no idea what it is other than it's a fossil, we've found 2, ones a sand dollar but not sure on this one, were a 100 miles from the sea. 1543261896271.jpeg 1543261871156.jpeg IMAG0007.jpeg
 

Kray Gelder

Gold Member
Feb 24, 2017
7,013
12,578
Georgetown, SC
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Looks like gryphaea avcuata, "devil's toenail", an extinct oyster. Your being currently 100 miles from the sea, is interesting, and shows you how the Earth's surface moves around over time. When this oyster died, during the Jurassic, the British Isles were approximately at the same latitude as Lisbon, and under the sea, thus your finding fossilized sea creatures.
 

OP
OP
Rob1981

Rob1981

Jr. Member
Nov 16, 2018
59
160
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looks like gryphaea avcuata, "devil's toenail", an extinct oyster. Your being currently 100 miles from the sea, is interesting, and shows you how the Earth's surface moves around over time. When this oyster died, during the Jurassic, the British Isles were approximately at the same latitude as Lisbon, and under the sea, thus your finding fossilized sea creatures.
Holy ****!! Thats amazing!! Thank you for id-ing it [emoji106] the only strange thing is, I've been on many fields but this one field has brought up a few.

this was the other one we found, someone said it could be a fern fossil? What's your thoughts? IMG-20181125-WA0032.jpeg
 

A2coins

Gold Member
Dec 20, 2015
33,807
42,606
Ann Arbor
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
Equinox 800
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Holy moly amazing fossils those are so cool
 

Kray Gelder

Gold Member
Feb 24, 2017
7,013
12,578
Georgetown, SC
Detector(s) used
Fisher F75
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Holy ****!! Thats amazing!! Thank you for id-ing it [emoji106] the only strange thing is, I've been on many fields but this one field has brought up a few.

this was the other one we found, someone said it could be a fern fossil? What's your thoughts? View attachment 1655420

Looks like a member of the echinoderm family, a sea urchin who's spines were not preserved. They are not extinct. Other echinoderms present today are sea stars and sand dollars, among others. That one, having been found with your Devil's Toenail, would be of the same age.

Probably, the reason you find them in this one field, erosion over millions of years has eroded the overlying layers, down to the Jurassic-aged limestone layers containing these fossils. The other fields you speak of are likely a higher elevation than this one, and this fossil bearing layer lies deeper underground. If there are any gravel pits, or cut banks in rivers or streams, near there-close to the same elevation-you are likely to find more fossils, if you look around. Being the Jurassic, keep a sharp eye out in that field for anything odd. May find some Dino body parts! Cool finds.
 

PetesPockets55

Bronze Member
Apr 18, 2013
1,651
2,914
Indian River Co., Fl
Detector(s) used
AT MAX & Carrot, Nokta Pulse Dice (:
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looks like a member of the echinoderm family, a sea urchin who's spines were not preserved. They are not extinct. Other echinoderms present today are sea stars and sand dollars, among others. That one, having been found with your Devil's Toenail, would be of the same age.

Probably, the reason you find them in this one field, erosion over millions of years has eroded the overlying layers, down to the Jurassic-aged limestone layers containing these fossils. The other fields you speak of are likely a higher elevation than this one, and this fossil bearing layer lies deeper underground. If there are any gravel pits, or cut banks in rivers or streams, near there-close to the same elevation-you are likely to find more fossils, if you look around. Being the Jurassic, keep a sharp eye out in that field for anything odd. May find some Dino body parts! Cool finds.

Reminds me of what we refer to as "Sea Biscuits", like sand dollars where the dough has risen. (:
 

OP
OP
Rob1981

Rob1981

Jr. Member
Nov 16, 2018
59
160
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Looks like a member of the echinoderm family, a sea urchin who's spines were not preserved. They are not extinct. Other echinoderms present today are sea stars and sand dollars, among others. That one, having been found with your Devil's Toenail, would be of the same age.

Probably, the reason you find them in this one field, erosion over millions of years has eroded the overlying layers, down to the Jurassic-aged limestone layers containing these fossils. The other fields you speak of are likely a higher elevation than this one, and this fossil bearing layer lies deeper underground. If there are any gravel pits, or cut banks in rivers or streams, near there-close to the same elevation-you are likely to find more fossils, if you look around. Being the Jurassic, keep a sharp eye out in that field for anything odd. May find some Dino body parts! Cool finds.
You're so spot on the money m8, there's chalk lines everywhere on the field and sand in the mud in places, if we dig 2- 3 feet down we hit a lime stone/chalk material.[emoji106]
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top