Fragmentary Bone or Mosasaur Tooth Fragment
Indeterminate Marine Reptile (cf. Mosasaurus sp.) • Body fossil; Vertebrate remainder
Geological Period
Likely Cretaceous
Estimated Age
66 to 100 million years
Preservation Type
Mineralization/Replacement by phosphate or iron oxides, resulting in a dark 'phosphatic' appearance common in marine lag deposits.
Condition Assessment
Poor; specimen is highly fragmented, worn by fluvial or tidal action, and lacks diagnostic anatomical landmarks.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, order and family indeterminate due to wear.
Morphological Description
Small, dark, blocky fragment with semi-vitreous luster in some areas and a porous texture on weathered surfaces. Appears to be a severely water-worn section of cortical bone or the base of a tooth.
Rock Matrix
None attached; isolated specimen likely recovered from an unconsolidated sediment or lag deposit.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in the Late Cretaceous formations of North Africa (Morocco) or the Atlantic Coastal Plain (New Jersey/South Carolina), USA.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 1-2 cm in length; typical for fragmentary specimens found in sieving operations.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$1 - $5
Auction Estimate
$0 - $10 (Typically sold as part of a larger bulk lot)
Rarity Assessment
Common; such fragments are found in the thousands in Cretaceous marine fossil beds.
Scientific Significance
Low; provides evidence of vertebrate presence in a specific strata but lacks morphological data for species-level evolutionary study.
Preparation Recommendations
No chemical preparation required. Keep dry and store in a small membrane box or vial to prevent further abrasion.
Notable Features
The dark coloration suggests high phosphate content, typical of the 'bone beds' found in the phosphate mines of Morocco or the Cretaceous brooks of North America.