sedimentary
Mosasaur Jaw Fossil in Matrix
Mosasaurus (family Mosasauridae) in Phosphate Sandstone
Hardness: 5 (fossilized enamel/bone) vs 2-3 (matrix); Color: Brown/tan teeth, cream bone, beige matrix; Luster: Vitreous on teeth, earthy on matrix; Structure: Conical teeth with distinct roots.
- Hardness
- 5 (fossilized enamel/bone) vs 2-3 (matrix)
- Color
- Brown/tan teeth, cream bone, beige matrix
- Luster
- Vitreous on teeth, earthy on matrix
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (fossilized enamel/bone) vs 2-3 (matrix); Color: Brown/tan teeth, cream bone, beige matrix; Luster: Vitreous on teeth, earthy on matrix; Structure: Conical teeth with distinct roots.
Formation & geological history
Formed during the Late Cretaceous period (approx. 66-70 million years ago) in shallow marine environments where sediment quickly buried the organic remains of marine reptiles.
Uses & applications
High value for fossil collecting, educational museum displays, and scientific study of prehistoric marine ecosystems.
Geological facts
Mosasaurs were apex predators of the Cretaceous seas, not dinosaurs but aquatic lizards closely related to modern monitor lizards and snakes.
Field identification & locations
Identified by the distinct conical, slightly curved teeth and fragmented jaw bone embedded in a sandy phosphatic matrix. Often found in the Oulad Abdoun Basin of Morocco.
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