Coal

Here is something that Kentucky is known for... COAL.

While fossil species are usually shown here, I found these pieces in the dump piles at the cemetery and they might be the remanents of a garbage dump from an earlier time in Louisville. Coal in Kentucky comes from the Pennsylvanian period also known as the "Coal Age".

The plants during this time consisted of ferns and trees. Remains of plant debris collected and became peat which eventually became coal.

Revised: After a KYANA fossil study session, it appears this coal is not from Kentucky but maybe Pennsylvania. Kentucky coal is more streaky and leaves a black mark like charcoal on your hands.

Halysite Pieces

Here are some new halysite pieces I found that the Louisville area cemetery the cephalopod was found at.

This points to a set of Silurian fossils.

Dawsonoceras annulatum

I got permission to collect at local cemetery future expansion area where they dump piles of fill dirt. While there for about 30 minutes I found a Silurian period cephalopod called Dawsonoceras annulatum (sp?). The species may not be right but the books I looked at listed this as the species on specimens shown. The genus is correct though.

What I like about this cephalopod is that creature's shell is has lots of ridges making it easy to identify. Also it has sinusoidal grow lines that are neat. I think this only the third one I have found so far and maybe the second with the fossilized shell.

This specimen is about 6 cm long but has been dipped or was filled with concrete. Part of its shell is covered or has disintegrated leaving just a molded shape.