Fossil Shark Tooth Fragment
Carcharocles cf. megalodon or Otodus sp. fragment • Body fossil; Vertebrate (Chondrichthyes)
Geological Period
Neogene (likely Miocene or Pliocene)
Estimated Age
5 to 23 million years
Preservation Type
Permineralization with probable replacement by phosphate or iron-rich minerals, resulting in a dark, lustrous patina.
Condition Assessment
Poor/Fragmentary; the specimen is an incomplete section missing the root and the majority of the crown/serrations.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Chondrichthyes, Order: Lamniformes, Family: Otodontidae or Lamnidae
Morphological Description
Small, dark, rectangular fragment exhibiting a dense, enameloid surface with fine longitudinal striations and a broken edge revealing a porous interior structure characteristic of fossilized dentine.
Rock Matrix
None attached; specimen appears to be 'loose' or lag-deposit material likely weathered from a marine calcarenite or phosphate bed.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in the Mooreville Chalk, Hawthorne Group, or similar coastal plain marine deposits in regions like Florida, North Carolina (Aurora), or South Carolina (Charleston area).
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 1-2 cm; significantly smaller than a complete specimen which can reach 15+ cm for these taxa.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$1 - $5 USD
Auction Estimate
N/A; usually sold in bulk lots with other pieces due to low individual value.
Rarity Assessment
Common; fragments of shark teeth are extremely abundant in Cenozoic marine lag deposits.
Scientific Significance
Low; while confirming the presence of apex predators in a specific horizon, its fragmentary nature provides limited anatomical or ecological data.
Preparation Recommendations
No invasive preparation needed; clean with water and soft brush; store in a dry, padded specimen jar or tray.
Notable Features
Distinguished by its dark mineralization and the 'peeled' appearance of the enameloid layer, typical of coastal erosion exposure.