Cretaceous Shark Tooth Fragment or Ray Dental Plate Fragment
Indeterminate Elasmobranch (cf. Myliobatidae or Lamniformes) • Body fossil; vertebrate (Chondrichthyes) skeletal element
Geological Period
Cretaceous to Neogene
Estimated Age
Approximately 2.5 to 100 million years
Preservation Type
Permineralization with probable phosphate replacement (apatite), resulting in a dark, lustrous appearance.
Condition Assessment
Poor to Fair; the specimen is heavily worn, fragmentary, and lacks diagnostic anatomical features like the enameloid crown or complete root structure.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Chondrichthyes, Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Morphological Description
A small, dark, mineralized fragment exhibiting a dense, fibrous to granular surface texture. One edge appears more rounded (possibly a root fragment or worn crown base), while the body shows faint striations or nutrient pores typical of fossilized dental tissue.
Rock Matrix
None; the specimen is an isolated find likely weathered from a marine sedimentary matrix such as phosphate-rich greensand or marl.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in marine lag deposits such as the Hell Creek Formation (USA), Kem Kem Group (Morocco), or various coastal Atlantic phosphate mines.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 10-15mm in length; small for a complete specimen but typical for fragmentary lag deposits.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$1.00 - $5.00 USD
Auction Estimate
N/A (Typically sold in bulk lots or as low-value educational items)
Rarity Assessment
Common; such fragments are ubiquitous in marine fossil deposits globally.
Scientific Significance
Provides evidence of past marine elasmobranch presence in a specific locality, contributing to faunal checklists of ancient near-shore or deep-water environments.
Preparation Recommendations
Requires minimal intervention; gentle cleaning with water and a soft brush to remove dust. Store in a padded gem jar or small acid-free container.
Notable Features
Display of dark, high-iron or manganese mineralization typical of marine fossils; weathered edges suggest significant transport or erosion before collection.