Fossilized Bone Fragment
Indeterminate megafauna fragment (cf. Cetacea or Crocodylomorph) • Body fossil; Vertebrate cortical bone fragment
Geological Period
Likely Neogene to Quaternary (Miocene through Pleistocene)
Estimated Age
Approx. 0.01 to 23 million years
Preservation Type
Permineralization (replacement with minerals like silica or iron oxides), silicified or petrified
Condition Assessment
Fair; heavily water-worn, incomplete, and missing all diagnostic articular surfaces or landmarks
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia or Reptilia, Order: Indeterminate
Morphological Description
Vesicular and fibrous texture characteristic of cortical bone. Presence of longitudinal nutrient foramina (small pits) and vascular grooves across the weathered surface. Rounded edges suggest fluvial or marine tumbling and abrasion.
Rock Matrix
None attached; water-worn isolate with mineral staining (likely iron or manganese oxides)
Formation & Location
Commonly found in coastal lag deposits or terrestrial riverbeds, such as the Peace River Formation (Florida) or similar Cenozoic coastal plain deposits
Size & Dimensions
Approx. 4-6 cm in length; consistent with a fragment from a large limb bone or rib of a medium-to-large vertebrate
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $15 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD (usually sold in bulk lots)
Rarity Assessment
Common; such fragments are frequently found in gravel lag deposits globally
Scientific Significance
Low; provides evidence of fossiliferous deposits in the area of discovery but lacks diagnostic features for specific evolutionary or ecological study
Preparation Recommendations
No further mechanical preparation needed; clean with soft brush and water, followed by a light coat of Paraloid B-72 if stabilization is desired for display
Notable Features
Heavy mineralization and dark staining indicate significant time in a reducing environment or contact with iron-rich sediments; distinct honey-brown color suggests secondary replacement