fossil

Tooth or bone fragment (likely animal tooth)

Indeterminate vertebrate tooth; possibly a small mammal or fish tooth

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Tapered, conical form with a cream-to-brown, porous-looking shaft and a smooth white enamel-like tip. Hardness is approximately 3–5+ Mohs; luster is dull to slightly glossy, with no visible crystal faces or cleavage.

Identified September 21, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

This is more likely a modern or subfossil biological hard part than a mineral specimen; fossilization would replace or impregnate the original dentine and enamel with minerals over burial time. Geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

No standard industrial use; intact fossil teeth may be collected or used for educational study. Value depends strongly on confirmed species, provenance, and fossilization.

Geological facts

The pointed white end resembles enamel, while the tan portion resembles dentine or exposed root. It could also be a small bone fragment or shell spine, so microscopic and locality examination is needed for certainty.

Field identification & locations

Inspect for enamel–dentine boundaries, a pulp cavity, growth layers, mineral replacement, and consistent tooth curvature; avoid acid testing because it can damage enamel or carbonate fossils. Common examples occur in soils, river gravels, archaeological deposits, and fossil beds.