A recent discovery in Oklahoma has the paleontology world buzzing. Geology professor Dr. Chris Shelton and his student, Kolby Dooling, stumbled upon a rare gemstone-quality fossil of an ammonite. These ancient creatures are related to today’s squids and octopuses, and this particular specimen shows off stunning colors that resemble a gemstone.
Just before spring break, Dr. Shelton took Dooling to a well-known fossil site. They had explored this area before, but nothing could prepare them for the colorful piece Dooling found. “I knew we’d find fossils, but this one stood out,” Shelton said.
This fossil is not just any ammonite. It shines with a mother-of-pearl glow thanks to a mineral called aragonite. This gives it an iridescent quality, suggesting it may even qualify as true ammolite, a highly sought-after gemstone found primarily in Alberta, Canada. “Ammolite is unique because it’s a biological gemstone,” Shelton explained. “It has vibrant colors and patterns from the original aragonite structure.”
What’s fascinating about this ammonite is its age. While many famous ammonites date back to the Mesozoic Era, this fossil hails from the Carboniferous Period, over 300 million years ago. That’s long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. In fact, it’s one of the oldest iridescent ammonites ever found. Prior to this discovery, only one other site, the Buckhorn Asphalt Lagerstätte in Oklahoma, has yielded fossils of this kind from that era.
Following their find, Shelton and Dooling went back to the site and uncovered even more fossils, including ancient shark remains. They aim to conduct detailed analyses and publish their findings. “We plan to keep exploring and collecting more samples,” said Shelton. “Then we’ll write a paper to share our discovery with other scientists.”
Dooling’s experience has been life-changing. Shelton stresses the value of hands-on learning in the field. “It helps students connect theory with real-world discoveries, giving them a chance to uncover history themselves.”
In an interesting twist, the fossil trend has captured the attention of social media. Many users are sharing excitement about fossil discoveries, making comments like “fossils are nature’s time capsules.” This indicates a growing interest in paleontology, particularly among younger generations.
As scientists and enthusiasts delve deeper into the past, discoveries like this ammonite not only refine our understanding of Earth’s history but also inspire a new wave of exploration and curiosity about our planet’s ancient life.
For more about ammonites and their fascinating history, check out this resource from the Natural History Museum.
Check out this related article: Unveiling the Astonishing Lost City: Unearthed Beneath the Atlantic Ocean, a Marvel Unlike Anything on Earth
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