mound, texas |
What you can find: Ammonite fossils (probably Acanthoceratidae), various gastropods, heart urchins (Heteraster Texanus)
Ease of access: Easy
Equipment needed: Collecting bag and possibly a rock pick. Also recommended: A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas.
Safety considerations: Nothing out of the ordinary
Where, exactly? Site is 2.7 miles NE of Mound, Texas, along Rd. 1829, at the junction with 107. There's a small embankment on the east side of the intersection, which is where the fossils are found.
Ease of access: Easy
Equipment needed: Collecting bag and possibly a rock pick. Also recommended: A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas.
Safety considerations: Nothing out of the ordinary
Where, exactly? Site is 2.7 miles NE of Mound, Texas, along Rd. 1829, at the junction with 107. There's a small embankment on the east side of the intersection, which is where the fossils are found.
This site is on the highway right-of-way, and therefore quite easy to access. Simply pull off onto the side, and begin looking around at any exposed stone. The fossils can be found both in the embankment itself and in the loose stones that have weathered out of it.
There were numerous snail shells, the largest of which was about three inches in length. Most of the ammonites are broken and only found in pieces, but if you're lucky you might find a complete one. Some of them look as though they would be around 6 to 8 inches across if they were still whole.
The heart urchins tend to be about an inch in length and rounded, with a divot in one end that gives them a vaguely heart-like form. The ones in better condition still display remnants of the original shell patterns on the outsides.
Most of the fossils are loose, and can simply be picked up, or worked out of the rocks without much effort. You may want a rock pick in case of any more stubborn specimens, however.
Happy hunting!
There were numerous snail shells, the largest of which was about three inches in length. Most of the ammonites are broken and only found in pieces, but if you're lucky you might find a complete one. Some of them look as though they would be around 6 to 8 inches across if they were still whole.
The heart urchins tend to be about an inch in length and rounded, with a divot in one end that gives them a vaguely heart-like form. The ones in better condition still display remnants of the original shell patterns on the outsides.
Most of the fossils are loose, and can simply be picked up, or worked out of the rocks without much effort. You may want a rock pick in case of any more stubborn specimens, however.
Happy hunting!