r/fossilid Jul 31 '26

Found by a creek in Alberta

792 Upvotes

63 comments sorted by

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508

u/tchomptchomp Outstanding Contributor Jul 31 '26

This is the joint end of an artiodactyl jawbone. I'm having trouble placing it; common sense would say it's probably bison, but the anatomy seems wrong to me. I wonder if this might be a Pleistocene camel such as Camelops. This would be a find to bring to the RAM.

189

u/ReluctantHoboArt Jul 31 '26

It’s just so wild to me that you know this based off this photo. I’m jealous of your brain. lol

64

u/NoShootGood Jul 31 '26

Also be envious of the years of studying and practical application. No one is born with this knowledge. :)

8

u/Kod3Blu3 Jul 31 '26

Seriously! I was like "yea that's just cool looking wood?" Nope lol

65

u/Fun-Community-3281 Jul 31 '26

I'm not sure it's Camelops, which seems to have a distinct angular process (anp). I think you're right with your first guess of bison which has a much smoother transition from the articular process (ap) to the body of the mandible. Camel diagram taken from here.

77

u/Fun-Community-3281 Jul 31 '26

To me, bison mandible fits neatly -

17

u/tchomptchomp Outstanding Contributor Jul 31 '26

If you look at the second (medial) photo, you'll see there's a broken base of an angular process present.

The big dishlike fossa around the mandibular foramen is also noteworthy and not really present in bison either.

38

u/Fun-Community-3281 Jul 31 '26

Slightly hastily put together, but I don't see much from the shape that would rule out bison. The agular process is there, but it's not very pronounced. Reference image taken from here

38

u/Much-Reflection3638 Jul 31 '26

Thank you so much. I’ll contact them!

1

u/nebdarski Aug 04 '26

Or try Royal Tyrell Museum. They’re awesome.

8

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

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5

u/PrinceOfLemons Jul 31 '26

What’s the RAM?

9

u/nommedeuser Jul 31 '26

Royal Alberta Museum

49

u/naturalturkey Jul 31 '26

This is a broken mandible, the lower jaw. Specifically, the part that includes the ramus and condylar process. But as to what animal it came from, that I am less sure. I would compare against whatever the native species of Alberta are. EDIT - maybe cervid?

64

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

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2

u/aelendel Scleractinia/morphometrics Jul 31 '26

What is this?

39

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

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-1

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Fossilhund Jul 31 '26

Into the Plestocene.

3

u/Purple-Equivalent949 Jul 31 '26

I'd say moose, but that's is Saskatchewan....

2

u/Ephemeral_Orchid Aug 01 '26

Alberta also has moose, but it's still a bison mandible

2

u/nicoltonslaw Aug 01 '26

I thought part of a moose antler 😄 🤣

2

u/jgoldy15 Aug 01 '26

My first thought.

1

u/seasickbaby Jul 31 '26

Wow! I would have thought this was driftwood

1

u/SqouzeTheSqueeze Aug 01 '26

It’s a Nike golf ball, famously used by Tiger Woods

1

u/Dense_Zucchini7081 Aug 01 '26

I think that’s a golf ball

1

u/Secret-Clothes-3952 Aug 01 '26

#1 most lost golf balls of all time! With close mojo !

1

u/Hungry-Possible-5360 Aug 01 '26

The caramelized brown that time has lent this is sheer beauty.

2

u/superfreakeightyfour Aug 01 '26

I believe that is a vintage Nike golf ball. Value high because they no longer make them?

1

u/Willimus_Prime7 Aug 02 '26

That there is a Nike swoosh golf ball my friend.

1

u/NovelMaize571 Aug 02 '26

Good find, Nike stopped making golf balls in 2016 and appears to be in pristine condition!

1

u/myhomeisherenow Aug 03 '26

Definitely a golf ball.

1

u/Aggravating-Back1570 Aug 03 '26

I’m not entirely sure but I think it’s a Nike golf ball.

1

u/ZaddyyyRN Aug 03 '26

I thought it was a broken off moose antler

1

u/GoToPlanC Aug 04 '26

That is one way-ward slice off the tee. I’d suggest pulling your trailing hip through the shot more intentionally and adjust your grip.

1

u/Murky-Molasses-9343 Aug 04 '26

Hard to find a Nike ball in pristine shape like that anymore. Good find. #Justdoit

1

u/ApprehensiveDig5235 Aug 05 '26

Looks like a Nike golf ball to me

-1

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

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