Mt Morgan Devonian to Pleistocene, Fossils Sub-Fossils Mega Fauna.

 Fossils and Sub-Fossils, Excavation by DERM Dee River, Mt Morgan, 2013. 

The AI analysis by Claude of Google Chrome.

Claude says< This appears to be a rugose coral, also known as a "horn coral" or "cup coral." Based on the distinctive horn-like shape and the visible septa (radiating plates inside the coral cup), this looks like it could be from the genus Heliophyllum or a similar rugose coral.

Rugose corals lived during the Paleozoic Era, primarily from the Ordovician through Permian periods (roughly 485 to 251 million years ago). They were especially abundant during the Devonian Period (419-359 million years ago).

The excellent preservation and the specific morphology suggest this specimen is likely from the Devonian Period, when rugose corals reached their peak diversity. Many well-preserved specimens like this one are commonly found in Devonian limestone formations across North America.

What you're seeing:

• Septa - The radiating plate-like structures extending from the outer wall toward the center
• Corallite wall - The outer boundary of the coral polyp's skeleton
• Interseptal spaces - The gaps between the septa where soft tissues would have been located
• Tabulae - Some of the horizontal structures visible may be tabulae (horizontal plates)

Coral type identification: Based on the structural features visible, this appears to be from a rugose coral (the same type as your first specimen). The arrangement and morphology of the septa are characteristic of rugose corals rather than modern scleractinian corals.

Key diagnostic features:

• The septa appear to show the characteristic rugose pattern where they don't all extend equally to the center
• The overall radial symmetry is consistent with rugose coral architecture
• The preservation and mineralization suggest this is a Paleozoic specimen

This microscopic view confirms the identification of your specimen as a rugose coral from the Paleozoic Era (likely Devonian Period, 419-359 million years ago). The internal structure is beautifully preserved, showing the skeletal framework that supported the living coral polyp during its lifetime.

The sectioning and preparation quality suggests this might be a prepared thin section used for paleontological study, which provides much more detail than what's visible from the exterior of the fossil.

This is a completely different type of coral from your first specimen!

Identification: This appears to be a tabulate coral, most likely from the genus Favosites (commonly called "honeycomb coral").

Key identifying features:

• Honeycomb structure: The specimen shows the characteristic, closely-packed, polygonal (mostly hexagonal) corallites that give Favosites its "honeycomb" appearance
• Mural pores: The microscopic image reveals the diagnostic feature of tabulate corals - small pores in the walls between adjacent corallites (visible as the small dark openings)
• Tabulae: The horizontal plates within each tube are visible in the microscopic view

Age and period: Tabulate corals like Favosites lived during the Paleozoic Era, particularly abundant during the Ordovician through Devonian periods (roughly 485-359 million years ago). They were especially common in the Silurian and Devonian.

Comparison to your first coral:

• Your first specimen: Rugose coral (solitary, horn-shaped)
• This specimen: Tabulate coral (colonial, honeycomb structure)

Both coral types lived during the same general time period (Paleozoic), which explains why they were found in the same location. They represent different coral groups that coexisted in ancient marine environments. The fact that you found both types together suggests you're collecting from a rich Paleozoic fossil locality, likely Devonian limestone formations.

Grok says<<,, These fossils indeed resemble brachiopods (lamp shells). The ribbed specimens (leftmost) suggest Spiriferida, like Cyrtospirifer from Devonian strata near Mount Morgan, QLD. Smoother ones may be terebratulids. Sizes ~1-4cm align with local finds. For accurate ID, share interior views or exact find spot.

My view<<< The ocean was far away during the Pleistocene. These people were making what the books say are oyster picks, and the amount of oyster shells suggests the ocean could only be a day away, as oysters only last a day in heat. a deep river also re the size of shells, mudmussels

Grok says<<<<<Fascinating point on Pleistocene logistics. Images show Saccostrea oyster shells,

Grok says<<<<<Possible mud mussels (Polymesoda erosa), and fragmented shell tools ("oyster picks" in Aboriginal contexts). During glacial lows, QLD coasts extended ~50-100km, but interglacial highs brought estuaries closer; trade or river transport could explain fresh oysters. Large shells suggest deep estuarine habitats. Share site coords for precise paleo-recon?

Grok says<<<<<These subfossil bivalves resemble Polymesoda mud mussels and Saccostrea oysters, with iridescent nacre and wear suggesting Aboriginal tool use (e.g., scrapers). The heavy, cold feel indicates mineralization from long burial in QLD sediments. Shards look like deliberate flakes—valuable artifacts

Images show more Saccostrea oyster fragments with ribbing, likely subfossils or tools; white piece resembles a worn pearl shell pendant, common in Aboriginal trade networks. Yes, shells were key trade items across QLD groups—valuable culturally.

My opinion

Any sea level rise would have to be after Port Alma mega fauna couldn't imagine a free water swamp being there after a salt incursion, which probably helped it turn into the salt.swamp it is today.

Grok says<<<<These appear to be subfossil gastropods, possibly Telescopium or Terebralia mud whelks (3-7cm), common in QLD mangrove middens. Your point on post-Pleistocene sea level rise (~120m since LGM) aligns: rising seas after ~18kya likely salinised Port Alma freshwater swamps, aiding megafauna decline via habitat loss. Salt incursions would explain the transition.

Cerithium-like gastropod shells. Valuable for QLD middens.

Grok says<<<<<<These appear to be bird atlas vertebrae (C1), with ring-like structure, central foramen, and single anterior facet. Sizes ~4-7cm suggest medium-large species, possibly juvenile Genyornis newtoni or emu (Dromaius) from QLD Pleistocene deposits. Variations could indicate age/sex dimorphism. Share find location or more angles for precise ID; QLD Museum verification advised.

Intriguing finds! These bones (5-15cm) match subfossil marsupial remains (e.g., kangaroo, Diprotodon) from QLD Pleistocene sites like Riversleigh, with possible Aboriginal cut marks akin to Cuddie Springs.

These ~2-5cm fragments appear to be fossilized molars from Queensland Pleistocene megafauna, such as Diprotodon (with bilophodont ridges) or giant kangaroos like Procoptodon, common in sites like Darling Downs or Riversleigh. Buffalo teeth don't match—buffalo are post-1788 introductions. Strong enamel suggests 40,000+ years old. Report to QLD Museum for analysis; such fossils are protected.

Grok says<<<<These ~2-5cm bilophodont molars match Pleistocene megafauna like Diprotodon (giant wombat) from QLD sites (e.g., Darling Downs), with transverse ridges for grinding vegetation. Not buffalo—those are introduced. Strong enamel suggests 10,000-50,000 years old. Report to QLD Museum for precise ID and protection

These ~3-5cm teeth in the first photo match Diprotodon molars with bilophodont ridges, from QLD Pleistocene sites like Darling Downs.

Site reburial means lost context—report exact location to QLD Museum for protected excavation and analysis.

These slender bones (5-20cm) match metapodials and phalanges from small Australian marsupials: smaller ones (~5-10cm) resemble bandicoot or bettong; larger (~10-20cm) suggest juvenile wallaby or pademelon, with characteristic tapered shafts and articular ends. Mix indicates varied fauna.

The jaw measures ~13cm, better matching a small macropod like a pademelon(Thylogale sp.) mandible, with characteristic bilophodont molars. The ~15cm pelvic fragments (acetabula ~6cm diameter) suggest juvenile wallaby or similar, smaller than typical adult Diprotodon (expected 15-20cm+ acetabulum). Compare to your Port Alma specimen; QLD Museum could confirm via dating.

These ~10-20cm slabs resemble mudstone or siltstone with desiccation polygons, typical of Pleistocene drying lakes in Queensland (e.g., Darling Downs sites), where marsupial megafauna like Diprotodon perished. Conglomeratic clasts suggest fluvial input.

These ~1-5cm "cooked dirt" fragments resemble low-fired clay daub or hearth clasts from Aboriginal sites (e.g., Jiigurru pottery parallels, 2000-3000 BP), fragile and water-soluble due to incomplete vitrification—possibly with organic residues like blood.

Grok says<<<<<The hip bones (acetabula) are consistent with such large marsupials

Fossils, Boulder Creek, Mt Morgan

Looking at this boulder from the creek at Mt Morgan, you have what appears to be a fossil-rich conglomerate or sedimentary rock! This is really exciting because it shows multiple specimens preserved together in their original geological context.

I can see several distinct features in this boulder:

1. Multiple round to oval shells - These appear to be various bivalve fossils of different sizes embedded in the rock matrix
2. Elongated fossil - There's what looks like a larger, more elongated shell or fossil structure
3. Mixed sediment matrix - The rock shows a mixture of different colored sediments and pebbles, typical of ancient marine deposits

This type of fossil-bearing conglomerate suggests this area was once a marine environment where shells accumulated, possibly in a shallow coastal or reef setting. The fact that you're finding these alongside the corals and vertebrate fossils you showed earlier indicates Mt Morgan sits on or near significant fossil-bearing geological formations.

The preservation of multiple specimens in a single boulder like this is quite valuable scientifically, as it shows the original community of organisms that lived together. The different sizes and types of shells suggest a diverse marine ecosystem.

This boulder would be of great interest to paleontologists studying Queensland's geological history. The Queensland Museum or a university geology department would likely want to examine this, especially given its location and association with your other finds. It could provide important information about the age and paleoenvironment of the Mt Morgan area.  Yes, these are definitely brachiopods! Looking at your excellent boulder specimen, I can see several distinct brachiopod fossils embedded in the rock matrix. Based on their morphological features and the geological context of Mt Morgan, Queensland, these appear to be from the Permian period.

The white/light-colored specimens show characteristics typical of several brachiopod groups:

Likely genera present:

1. Spiriferid brachiopods - Spiriferida is an order of extinct articulate brachiopod fossils which are known for their long hinge-line, which is often the widest part of the shell Fossil Finds: brachiopods - Fossil Finds in New Zealand. Some of your specimens show the characteristic wide hinge line and wing-like appearance.
2. Productid brachiopods - The rounder, more inflated specimens could be productids, which were common in Permian rocks Fossil Brachiopods (U.S. National Park Service) and often found in Queensland fossil assemblages.
3. Neospirifer species - Neospirifer, genus of extinct brachiopods found as fossils in Late Carboniferous to Permian marine rocks, many species are known.

The research shows that Queensland has documented Permian species of spiriferid brachiopods including Punctospirifer and Cleiothyridina Brachiopoda Paleoecology - Digital Atlas of Ancient Life, which could match some of your specimens.

For precise species identification, you'd need detailed morphological analysis by a brachiopod specialist, as Queensland's Permian formations contain many documented species. The Queensland Museum would be particularly valuable for this, as they have extensive collections and expertise with the region's Permian marine fossils.

This boulder represents an excellent example of a Permian marine community preserved in situ.