Oyster Bed Fossil

[DigIron2]

My Grandfather found this fossil in the Southern Potomac River.It came from a oyster bed of some kind as far as I know.Just wanted to know some more about it.Top and bottom view

 

[Harry Pristis]

They appear to be scallops, not oysters. They seem to be internal casts, or steinkerns. Age is uncertain, but probably Cenozoic.

 

[DigIron2]

Thank you very much Harry.I am more into relic hunting,But for some reason,older stuff ,like fossils and Indian artifacts really catch my attention.I like old stuff,and it dont get much older then fossils and native american relics.I am new to this site.Is this the place to post native stuff 2?

 

[austin]

Look like pectin shells...

 

[GatorBoy]

You'll want to check out the North American Indian artifacts forum

 

[Harry Pristis]

Look like pectin shells...

Yes, very good, 'austin' -- they are pectins, that is, members of the Superfamily PECTINACEA, and perhaps even members of the Family PECTINIDAE. They are generally called scallops.

All scallops [of commercial
interest] fall within the
family Pectinidae and there are
about 400 known extant species
within the family. ...
All members of the
superfamily Pectinacea are
considered scallops. There have
been approximately 7,000 species
and subspecies named within the
superfamily Pectinacea.

---from Project Oceanography​

 

[DigIron2]

Thanks allot everyone.

 

[old digger]

Nice fossil find!