This is the “Fossil Friday” post #291.  Expect this to be a regular feature of the website.  We will post fossil pictures you send in to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Please include a short description or story.  Check the #FossilFriday Bluesky/Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!

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This week’s Fossil Friday is a detailed Carboniferous fish fossil in black shale. It was found in a dolostone quarry near Oglesby, Illinois. Jeremy Zimmerman sent us the photo. This is the description he received with the fossil.

Found in a dolostone quarry near Oglesby , Illinois at one time had a small ‘channel” of black shale. Most likely a tiny remnant of Mecca Quarry Shale.

Site is gone!!! Pennsylvanian Age same as the famous black shales from Pit 14 near Pit 11 of Braidwood, Illinois fame. 3 inch articulated body section with THREE fine fins. Scales are shiny and well preserved. Section of another fish lies on the same 2 3/4 x 3 inch shale piece. Wish we could say that there was more but even this was lucky compared with the few articulated fish remains that people found in this tiny deposit. Approx. 1/4 inch thick and weighs 2.3 oz. 3 FINS PRESERVED! GOOD CHANCE THAT THIS IS A PARTIALLY EATEN FISH?

Thanks for sharing, Jeremy!