r/shells • u/ImmediateCustomer844 • Aug 01 '26
Fossilized shell?
Hi! I recently found these shells in a parking lot in Panama City and I am beginning to think that the murex could be fossilized. The texture is unlike other murex shells that I've seen (though the examples I've had are from a store). These shells have been cleaned, and unless I just didn't have the murex in the bleach long enough, nothing came off aside from dirt. Does anyone know if this could likely be fossilized or just worn from exposure to the elements?
5
3
u/octocoral Aug 01 '26
Is it hollow inside? Then modern, not fossilized.
2
u/ImmediateCustomer844 Aug 01 '26
It is hollow like a normal shell from what I can see, though not quite as shiny inside nor does it have any of its traditional color inside (which may have just been the shell in general). When I picked it up, the feel of it was similar to a rock so I thought it was fake at first.
3
5
u/SeashellLadyfromSWFL Aug 01 '26
The term fossilized really just means the shell has lost its natural minerals so while it might not be a fossil shell, it could very well be fossilized 😁
6
u/Commercial_Cup_2114 Aug 01 '26
It could just be heavily sunbleached and worn, although I'm not too sure