I have known about this rock for years but I always thought it to be some sort of masonry work that was abandoned during the building of the local railway tunnels. Whilst out walking with my son the other day I investigated it further and realised it is some sort of fossil. I initially thought it to be some sort of palm tree trunk from the age when my part of Yorkshire was a tropical delta but, I'm unsure trees let alone palm trees are that old. To be honest I know next to nothing about fossils and their origins but my guess is it's some sort of fern tree from the Carboniferous period. The rock it is embedded into must weigh 20+ tonnes and appears to be Yorkshire sandstone. Another guess of mine as to how it came to be situated where it is, is the Navvies must tossed aside all rock that was unusable elsewhere.
Does anyone know what it could be and from what period of time?
The pine needle at the left gives a good clue on the scale.
It's difficult to see the texture of the bark (the photo is not sharp enough), but I think you're in the right path - I think it could be an arborescent Lycopsid, a group which had their peak in the Carboniferous. There are several genera, such as Lepidodendron and Diaphorodendron. However, my best guess is Stigmaria. This is not a genus as such; the term refers to roots of various Lycopsids such as Sigillaria and Lepidodendron.
Refs - Lycopsids:
- http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/gallery/image/18789-diaphorodendron/ (an example of a Lycopsid)
Refs - Stigmaria:
My mind hurts when I think of the history this little fossil has been through. Is it best to leave it in it's place or might it be of scientfic interest to someone? The diameter is about 80-90mm and at a guess I would say it travels well into the rock and could be 500mm or more and the rock it goes through has other features across it where a leaf possibly once was and some other cracks that seem to be more stigmaria. I will get more pictures tomorrow and maybe some measurements. I wonder if there's other hidden gems that can be found. Thank you for enlightening me and my son
Yes, leaves and other pieces of Stigmaria are quite likely.
Stigmaria is not uncommon, so I don't think it would be of particular interest to a researcher. Even if it was, it would be more valuable if left in place (It is a bit like a postage stamp being of greater philatelic interest if kept on the envelope rather than cut/soaked off.) Also, you could ruin it in trying to chisel it out.
By all means search for hidden gems. You never know what you might find. That's all part of the fun and interest. But also, please accompany your rock hounding with research - that will provide more 'dimensions' to the interest. By researching the general geology of an area, you'll find out how old the rocks are and the type of setting they represent, and you'll get an idea what fossils may be around, and good places to look for them. If you know what to look for and where to look, it increases your chances of success - providing further stimulus. Here are some useful links:
- To find out about geology anywhere in Britain - http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html
- UK fossils - http://www.christraxon.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
- mineral gallery - http://www.galleries.com/Sulfides