Hexagonaria anna Coral Fossil

These pictures of a Hexagonaria anna (Whitfield, 1973) coral fossil. It was found in the Bell Shale of the Traverse Group of Alpena, Michigan, USA. The coral lived in the Devonian Period.

On the bottom of the fossil are a number Aulopora coral fossils that grew on the Hexagonaria. Also there are a number of bryozoan colonies. Plus there is a Aulopora coral fossil found on the top of the coral.

Native American Bird Stone From Hexagonaria Fossil

In September 2021 I visited the Besser Museum at Alpena, Michigan, USA. They had a large exhibit on Native American artifacts found in Michigan. One that caught me attention was labeled "petoskey stone pop-eye", see picture above. It is a native American bird stone made shaped from a Hexagonaria coral fossil. They also have on display a copper bird stone identified as the only one known. The museum has an impressive collection of copper artifacts created by native American peoples of Michigan.

The Besser Museum for Northwest Michigan was named for Jesse Besser (1882-1970) who perfected and produced machines that create these famous concrete blocks. Out in the yard is a huge boulder sized Hexagonaria (Gürich, 1896) coral fossil (from Devonian Period). They also have areas where you can search for and keep fossils from material dumped there from local quarry.

 

Bryozoan Holdfast Fossil

In September 2021, I was collecting in Alpena Michigan USA. While there I found something that was not immediately apparent what it was. After consulting with Paleo Joe he told me it was a fan bryozoan holdfast fossil. It was found in the Potters Farm Formation of the Traverse Group. The fossil dates to the middle Devonian Period (Givetian Stage). Only found this one and was a little thrown off as I don't remember ever encountering a holdfast that looked like this.