Sauropod fossilized bone - in Colorado
Sauropod fossil found in the Morrison formation
This specimen was found in the Morrison Formation, it is most likely a fossilized sauropod bone fragment. The Morrison Formation is famous for its diverse array of Late Jurassic dinosaur fossils, particularly sauropods.
Bone Identification
The size and shape of the bone fragment (6.5" x 5.5" x 2.5") is consistent with a portion of a larger sauropod bone. Sauropods were the dominant herbivores in the Morrison ecosystem and their fossils are among the most common found in this formation[10]. The bone appears to be heavily mineralized, which is typical of fossils from this geological context.
Possible bone types
- Rib fragment
- Vertebra fragment
- Limb bone fragment
Without more detailed examination or context, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact bone type. However, the flattened shape and curvature visible in some images suggest it could be part of a rib.
Surface Analysis
The surface of the bone shows several interesting features:
1. Texture. The bone has a rough, pitted texture on one side and a smoother surface on the other. This is consistent with the natural variation in bone structure and fossilization processes[13].
2. Color:The yellowish-brown coloration is typical of many Morrison Formation fossils, resulting from mineral replacement during fossilization[10].
3. Marks and Grooves:
* There are various marks and grooves visible on the surface of the bone. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting these features.
Potential Human Modification
While there are marks and grooves on the bone surface, there is no clear evidence of intentional human modification consistent with portable rock art. The observed features are more likely the result of natural taphonomic processes:
1. Weathering: The pitted texture and some of the shallow grooves may be the result of weathering processes that occurred before or during fossilization[12].
2. **Sediment Abrasion:** Some of the marks could be the result of abrasion from sediment movement during burial and fossilization[6].
3. **Root Etching:** Some of the more irregular grooves might be the result of plant roots growing against the bone surface during its burial[12].
4. **Carnivore Activity:** Some marks could potentially be the result of carnivore activity on the bone before fossilization, though this would require closer examination to confirm[7].
To conclusively rule out or identify any potential human modification, more detailed microscopic analysis would be necessary, including high-resolution imaging and potentially 3D surface analysis[14]. H
Sources
[1] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1734154830/user_uploads/yNgGfkpQQBNxdEv/image.jpg
[2] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1734154830/user_uploads/ibsSyThNftnrDal/image.jpg
[3] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1734154829/user_uploads/bZiwgIHsnOvrYrK/image.jpg
[4] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1734154830/user_uploads/rQzzdOdoEfLAtpt/image.jpg
[5] Morrison Formation | Triassic, Jurassic & Sandstone | Britannica https://www.britannica.com/place/Morrison-Formation
[6] Petrology of the Morrison Formation, Dinosaur Quarry Quadrangle ... https://ugspub.nr.utah.gov/publications/special_studies/SS-48.pdf
[7] Bite and tooth marks on sauropod dinosaurs from the Morrison ... https://peerj.com/articles/16327/
[8] Cutmarks on Bone - Anza-Borrego Desert Paleontology Society https://www.anzaborregopaleo.org/cutmarks-on-bone.html
[9] Petroglyphic Features of Portable Rock Art | Ancient Origins https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/portable-rock-art-0014678
[10] Morrison Formation - Virtual Fossil Museum http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Sites/morrison.htm
[11] Paleobiota of the Morrison Formation - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleobiota_of_the_Morrison_Formation
[12] Marks on 3.4-million-year-old bones not due to trampling, analysis ... http://esciencecommons.blogspot.com/2015/08/marks-on-34-million-year-old-bones-not.html
[13] [PDF] Recognising Rock Art https://www.rockart.scot/index.cfm/resources/guidance1/recognising-rock-art/
[14] Anthropogenic modification of a giant ground sloth tooth from Brazil ... https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69145-5