Exceptional Fossil of Texas State Stone Found in Brazos County

By: TAMU Biology

photo of fossilsA curious blue and green stone discovered in a College Station front yard has been identified as a remarkable fossil find. The fossil, initially overlooked, caught the attention of Dr. Ben Neuman, a Texas A&M University Biology Professor, during a recent dinner party. What appeared to be an unassuming rock a little larger than a fist turned out to be an extraordinary specimen once examined more closely.

Beneath a layer of algae and blue paint lay an exceptionally well-preserved fossil of the stump of a young palm tree from the Eocene epoch, approximately 40 million years ago. “This may be the best and most complete example of the Texas state stone — fossil palmwood — that I have ever seen,” remarked Dr. Neuman.
The fossilized stump underwent petrification, a process in which the cells of the original plant material are replaced by silica, the mineral found in glass and sand. The stump’s intricate structure, including a mix of woody rods and fine, wavy fibers characteristic of modern palm trees, remains remarkably intact.

After cleaning and studying the fossil, Dr. Neuman returned it to its delighted owner, Ms. Heidi Dixon of College Station, who had unknowingly harbored this piece of Texas’ ancient history in her yard. The discovery underscores the rich paleontological heritage of Texas and the potential for significant finds in everyday places!