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Fossilized Coral (Clams?)
Specimen was found in one piece in the desert and it has been cleaned and sealed. The bottom was cut for base and polished. Perhaps from Permian Period (299 million to 252 million years ago). It was found in an arroyo in El Paso County near the Franklin Mountains. I wonder what the value is, and if they are indeed clams. I have discovered several fossils of this type or similar variations in this area but this one is by far the biggest, heaviest, and in excellent condition. It weighs 27.4 lbs.
approximately 12x8x5 inches
Other
Yes
Possible Coral Fossil Plate
Central North America, United States, Franklin Mountain Range
Possible Permian Period (299 million to 252 million years ago)
Possible Cretaceous Period (about 145 to 66 million years ago)
During the Cretaceous Period; North America was two separate land masses with a narrow western and larger eastern landmass with a seaway between them. Near the end of the geological period, the seas retreated and the Rocky Mountains began to push up. As the ancestor creatures of our modern time also persist in doing; these collective creatures structured much of the sea bed. The formation was made of many corallites cemented together creating the entire skeleton, or corallum. Inside the corallite a septum grows vertically from the attachment base and helps support the soft tissues. This example displays many parts of the animal 's exoskeletons. No full fossil example is present on this sedimentary ocean floor plate. The segments are embedded within a limestone matrix with an polished surface. Plate measurements are 12" x 8" x 5"; with a weight of 27.4 lbs.
I suggest researching with a geology department or regional natural history museum to determine the layer and era of this group fossil plate.
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