Mystery Fossil Archives #19 | #1018 | #1927 | #2836 | #3745 | #4654 Click on the image for a closer look at each Mystery Fossil. Can you guess them all correctly?



#55April, 2006



It's the fossil imprint of some Neanderthal's running shoe, right? Uh no. If you remember what critter UCMP helped excavate in San Jose in 2005, then you shouldn't have to chew on this one for too long. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#56May, 2006



This truly is a mysterious Mystery Fossil as paleontologists continue to debate just where to classify organisms like this one. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#57June, 2006



Fossilized zippers? Unlikely. The fine, three-dimensional preservation of this fossil should help you with an identification. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#58July-August, 2006



If you think this looks like the mouthparts of some fossil insect, you'd be wrong but not too wrong. Click on the image for a closer view. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#59September-October, 2006



At first glance, you might not recognize this organism, but with a little creative thinking, you just might be able to place it. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#60November, 2006



Looks sort of like the toe of a dinosaur, doesn't it. Well, it isn't. But it is a very close neighbor of the toe of a dinosaur. You may have to be fairly familiar with vertebrate anatomy to get this one. Think "distal end." Okay, no more help  think you know the answer? Did you guess correctly?

#61December, 2006-January, 2007



One might say that this is part of a well-preserved fossil of one of the many new feathered dinosaurs discovered in China. But one would be wrong. What do you think it is? Did you guess correctly?

#62February-March, 2007



At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much here to help with an identification, but examine the photo carefully. Still no clue? Mouse over the image for a different view of this fossil  now you should be able to make a pretty good guess. Did you guess correctly?

#63April, 2007