Prehistoric North America, Mesozoic period, ca. 252 to 66 million years ago. A fossilized coprolite, the scientific term for preserved prehistoric dung. During the fossilization process the organic composition of the feces changes into silica, calcium phosphate, and other mineral compounds. Coprolites are trace fossils that give us evidence of what ancient animals once ate. These stones were once called bezoars; the fossil hunter Mary Anning noted that they were often found in the abdominal region of the numerous fossilized animals she observed along the coast of England, and her observations led William Buckland, the Oxford-educated theologian and one of the fathers of paleontology, to propose in 1829 that they were in fact fossilized feces, which he named "coprolites." This is probably the best turd I have picked up - no wag bag is needed to contain this piece! Size: 4.75" L x 2" W (12.1 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: private Lakewood, Colorado, USA collection, acquired 2017; ex-Alexander Sachs collection, a board member of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, New York, USA

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#163384

Chip to tip of fossil. Otherwise well preserved with light mineral deposits.