What in the Heck?

[gpblood]

I am sure the native americans were fascinated with naturally occuring
oddities as we all are ,they would have picked them up and carried them home .
I've spent some time researching these little balls comparing them to clay marbles
,civil war clay shot, and yes ceramic agitators ,

http://www.thefossilforum.com/upload...1361_thumb.jpg

http://www.thefossilforum.com/upload...4106_thumb.jpg

These appear along limestone outcroppings,
and I'm not sure if it is silurian or ordovician age,
I found my first in a freshly dozed limestone bed,
which began 10+ years of inquiry . just saying!!

GregBlood

[JoeH]

The old Coinmasters I have heard are stll pretty good machines. The discriminate Mode is a little limited but make sure you ground balance the machine or it will be a little wacky. I agree with Mud Hawk, test it on different items. You should be able to discriminate some of the bad items out like nails, iron. You should be able to find a manual online to download and read. Thats what would do.

[joshuaream]

Greg,

I can't really see any detail in the pics you posted (they are thumbnails.) I don't doubt you are finding ball algae, in the right kind of limestone they are pretty common.

If you have any better pics that show more detail, I'd love to see them. I haven't seen any fossil algae samples from limestone that have such a smooth texture and are so uniform in size and shape.

I've been collecting rocks and fossils for 30+ years, and still continue to learn new things all the time, just saying.

Joshua

Originally Posted by gpblood

I am sure the native americans were fascinated with naturally occuring
oddities as we all are ,they would have picked them up and carried them home .
I've spent some time researching these little balls comparing them to clay marbles
,civil war clay shot, and yes ceramic agitators ,

http://www.thefossilforum.com/upload...1361_thumb.jpg

http://www.thefossilforum.com/upload...4106_thumb.jpg

These appear along limestone outcroppings,
and I'm not sure if it is silurian or ordovician age,
I found my first in a freshly dozed limestone bed,
which began 10+ years of inquiry . just saying!!

GregBlood