A solitary type of coral found commonly in the local limestone/marine layer. I have been told the two examples below are perhaps of two different species. The first piece is assumed to be Stereostylus. The second piece that is split down the middle was thought to perhaps be Lophophyllidium. ThatRead More →

A few layers of rock contain several concretions. We called these dinosaur eggs when we were younger, not knowing exactly what they were. We have come to find that these are simply hard, compact masses of matter. These settle within the muds and sands that make the local rocks. SomeRead More →

This specimen started out showing about 40-50% of itself within the Limestone matrix is was embedded in. I spent a good deal of time with the air scribe to free it. I am confident that it is Metacoceras, but I welcome other opinions. The raised spines along the top sideRead More →

Going by the fossil example shown on the Pennsylvanian Atlas of Ancient Life, I am calling this find a Pseudorthoceras. The rock was split into two pieces, and the photo is of them joined back up. The white markings are from an air scribe. Pseudorthoceras belongs to the class Cephalopoda.Read More →

Orthotetes

This brachiopod is beautifully centered in what is likely a concretion circle. The specimen was found in the high-hill shale. This layer contains a shale that I call mud stone. It comes out in larger pieces than thinner shale. The rock still splits rather easily, and it contains many concretions.Read More →

Antiquatonia portlockiana

Antiquatonia portlockiana was first described by Norwood and Pratten in 1855. The genus Antiquatonia includes eight distinct species. It has a surprisingly short age range of about 20 million years. The species has yet to be found outside of the Carboniferous Period. When I first found this brachiopod, I wasn’tRead More →

After finding a great Sea Pen example, I also found this one that had been set aside. The specimen passes through the rock, therefore showing itself on the other side as well. A Crinoid stem impression can be seen on the opposite side. The first one I found was supposedRead More →

Composita was a genus of brachiopod from the Late Devonian up until the Late Permian. There are a few pieces of the original shell attached to the fossilized inside. This form of fossil is also known as a Steinkern. This species is very common in the local marine zones. ThisRead More →