Fossil Shark Tooth Fragment (Heavily Water-Worn)
Indeterminate Lamniform shark tooth crown (cf. Carcharodon or Otodus sp.) • Body fossil; Vertebrate (Chondrichthyes)
Geological Period
Neogene (likely Miocene to Pliocene)
Estimated Age
2.5 to 23 million years
Preservation Type
Permineralization with heavy phosphate replacement (Phosphatization)
Condition Assessment
Poor; the specimen is a 'roller'—a term used for fossils heavily tumbled by wave action, losing most diagnostic anatomical features.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Chondrichthyes, Order: Lamniformes, Family: Otodontidae or Lamnidae
Morphological Description
Small, dark, triangular to teardrop-shaped specimen with significant rounding of all original sharp edges. The specimen appears to be the basal portion or a heavily abraded crown of a shark tooth. It lacks a primary cutting edge, serrations, or a distinct root, which have been lost to taphonomic processes.
Rock Matrix
None attached; specimen was likely recovered from a secondary marine lag deposit or beach sediment.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in the Hawthorne Group or Peace River Formation (Florida, USA) or the Calvert Formation (Maryland/Virginia, USA).
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 10-15mm in length; significantly smaller than a complete specimen due to erosion.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$0.50 - $2.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$0.00 - $5.00 USD (typically sold in bulk 'as-found' bags)
Rarity Assessment
Common; water-worn tooth fragments are among the most abundant vertebrate fossils found in Atlantic coastal plain deposits.
Scientific Significance
Low; due to the lack of intact morphology and provenance, it has limited value for specific paleoecological reconstruction, though it confirms the presence of Neogene marine vertebrates in its original locality.
Preparation Recommendations
No further preparation required. Store in a dry environment. Can be used as a 'hands-on' specimen for educational purposes given its durability.
Notable Features
Heavy tumbling and polishing by ancient or modern wave action (hydration/abrasion) which has turned a once-sharp tooth into a smooth, pebble-like object.