Playing Paleontologist...

When we saw that there was a fossil dig location, Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site, right on our path, we knew we would be stopping. How could we resist a new first?

This was from the website, "What to Expect: There is nothing like the thrill of discovery. Just like pages in a book, fossil impressions are embedded in 50 million years old layers of shale; when the rock splits and there is fossil inside, many squeal with delight at the discovery. That fossil has never seen the light of day and is certainly something that has not been seen before by human eyes. Finding a fossil takes a bit of patience, yet the odds of finding one are excellent."
We rented a hammer and chisel and went to work at Stonerose, a place where impressions of plants, insects, and fish that lived millions of years ago can be found in shale. These fossils are the result of events that happened nearly 50 million years ago, in a time known as the Eocene Epoch. At that time, the area now occupied by the City of Republic, was part of an ancient lake. Over many years, layers of sediment built up on the lakebed. Much of this material was powdery ash from volcanic activity occurring in the area.
We spent the morning on a treasure hunt, gathering rocks and splitting their layers to see what treasures lie within. Oh man, what fun!

We found this specimen at the beginning of our hunt. We thought the outside fossils were cool enough but when we didn't find anything too extraordinary, we looked further in its layers. SCORE!
Hidden for 50 million years was this perfectly preserved leaf. We were giddy.



While this was our first experience with fossils, I don't think it will be our last. We DIG it!

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1 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...

I love your fossil leaf soooo much!!! How very cool. I want to find one now! What luck!
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July 30, 2020 at 9:20 PM

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