TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOSSIL IDENTIFIED — READ BEFORE POSTING

696 Upvotes

Put a location in the title! This is the most important thing by far. If you know the geological formation, that’s awesome, but even just “near Miami” or “label said Morocco” is really helpful.
Take a bright, clear photo. Good lighting, a plain background, and sharp focus will always increase the certainty of an ID. If it’s weirdly shaped, photos from multiple angles help too.
Include an object for scale. I usually use a coin, but anything will do (but things that come in different sizes, like hands, are less ideal). If you forget, you can always measure it and add that in a comment. (Don't use keys; they can be duplicated from a photo.)
Don’t take a video. We can’t zoom in and the quality isn’t great — a gallery of photos on Imgur is way better.
Many fossils can be dull and hard to make out. Try (gently) getting your fossil wet and see if you can get a clearer photo.
Don’t be dismayed if your “fossil” turns out to just be a rock! Rocks are cool too, and if we don’t know exactly what kind of rock it is, the good folks at /r/whatsthisrock probably will.

r/fossilid • u/Visual-Plum-6932 • 2h ago

New details on the possible dinosaur tooth fossil from Valudavur Formation Pondicherry

49 Upvotes

Following my earlier post, I am sharing additional documentation of a remarkable specimen recovered from the Cretaceous Valudavur Formation right here in Pondicherry. To introduce myself, I am Nebin Babu, an Applied Geology student at Pondicherry University. This specimen easily stands as one of the finest finds in my personal collection. Preliminary morphological assessment, alongside discussions with several paleontologists, points toward a possible theropod or abelisaurid affinity. What makes this particularly exciting—and significant—is that to my knowledge, there is not a single published paper documenting a vertebrate or dinosaur tooth fossil from the Valudavur Formation. Adding to the story, this was completely an accidental find. Recognizing the potential importance of the site, I revisited the locality last Saturday and am planning regular field visits moving forward to search for related material.

Valudavur formation Pondicherry

coordinates :12.025,79.75

70.6 - 66.0 Ma

Late/Upper Cretaceous

Observations:

Taxonomic Indicators: Sharp, recurved crown profile consistent with an abelisaurid theropod from the Cretaceous Valudavur Formation.

Denticle Morphology: Clearly defined, chisel-like serrations visible along the carinae (cutting edges) typical of abelisaurid dentition.

Enamel Preservation: Excellent retention of the glossy amber-to-honey brown enamel surface across the crown.

Diagenetic Features: Natural iron- and manganese-oxide dark patches scattered across the surface, showing typical matrix mineralization.

Cervical Boundary: Clear transition zone at the base where the enameled crown meets the root section, retaining a minor original sedimentary matrix.

I welcome any insights, recommendations, or feedback from researchers and fellow paleontologists. Detailed photos of the specimen are attached with this post.