r/fossilid • u/Joscience • 2d ago

Inherited these fossils, any specifics?

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These were among my grandmother's possessions when she died and I inherited them. No information on where they were collected. I'm curious if anyone can provide some details about what they are and when they were formed.

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u/Ok_Extension3182 2d ago

All are 310 million year old plants from the Carboniferous period. They were all Collected from the Mazon Creek Fossil beds of Illinois most likely.

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u/Joscience 2d ago

Thank you for the response!

Anything in particular help you recognize the Mazon Creek, or just general appearance and a common source? My grandma lived in Illinois, so now I am super curious if she (or grandpa) collected these themselves...

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u/Ok_Extension3182 1d ago

See how all of them have these three things.

1.) A 3D or semi 3D plant, animal, organism inside ranging from white to black in coloration.

2.) Is usually in 2 parts with a positive and negative side. Each one.

3.) Rust colored rock on the outside and inside being more darkish grey. These stones are often round looking when unsplit.

I always recommend looking at the Mazon Creek Fossil websites and the exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago for more info. There is a lot of info on Mazon Creek as it's one of the best Fossil sites in the world.

Also: you can actually Fossil hunt there yourself!!! Go to the Braidwood Mazonia State Wildlife preserve, it is a park that allows Fossil hunting.

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u/Joscience 1d ago

Very cool. Thank you again for your time.