Fossils Pouring Out of the Ground

This video link shows a story from PBS News Hour (November 29, 2010) describing research by the Denver Museum of Science and Nature of an Ice Age fossil site in Colorado. Scientists there believe the fossils are between 45000 and 125000 years old. Excavators there were finding a fossil every 2-10 minutes with a new species discovered every day during a six day dig. Fossils found were a juvenile mammoth, 5 mastodons, a bison with a 2 meter horn span, and a Jefferson's sloth.

What makes the site even more special are the plant, insect, and invertebrate fossils found with the vertebrates. It allows researchers to recreate almost the entire ecosystem.

Learn more by watch the story at the video link or read the transcript at the News Hour web site. One can also listen to a MP3 of the story at this link.

UPDATE:  After a little more research one can find a more detailed listing of their findings at The Artful Amoeba blog entry entitled  "Snowmastodon Village: A Visual Tour of a Remarkable New Find"

Waldron Shale Pygidium

Unidentified trilobite pygidium of maybe a Dalmanites or Glyptambon.  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County, Indiana.  This animal trudged the sea floors during the Middle Silurian Period.

Mourlonia Gastropod Fossil

A Mourlonia gastropod fossil found in the Borden Formation of Morehead, Kentucky.  Five fossils are shown in this post and all are pyritized.  This snail slinked around the Earth during the Mississippian Period.  This entry at the KYANA Geological Society web site was used to identify the fossils.

Next two images show specimen two.  It is quite broken up.

One image of specimen 3 shown next.

Specimen 4 is the only fossil in the group showing ornamentation (next two images).

 These last two images show specimen number 5.

Thanks to Herb for the fossils!