Rare fossil marlin skull discovery - one of my best fossil hunts yet - around 50 million years old

Check out my Patreon for secret projects, bonus videos and behind the scenes footage: / mamlambo
I was on holiday down south and stopped to check out a random beach that looked promising and stumbled across a very rare fossil skull! The fossil bone is unlike anything I have seen before, very different to the cetacean bone I usually find.
I took this past the museum and they reckon it is the biggest fish fossil they have seen come out of New Zealand!
Instagram: / mamlambofossils

[@valiantwarrior4517]

04:51 Does look like a coral or even a big sea lily crinoid. Pretty cool. I’m glad you decided to notify a museum about it.

[@alexandermelchers1497]

Wow! And there you were thinking you hadn't found anything interesting just a couple of minutes before! An amazing find! And, indeed, as Gaelic Warrior pointed out below: just think of the number of people who just walked straight past it, either not thinking of fossils at all, or believing it to just be a huge chunk of fossilised wood. Such a lucky find, man! :D

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahhaah I thought it was petrified wood at first as well 😁 and then a dolphin skull, but third time lucky on the ID! I might try and compare it with some other ones that have been found around New Zealand.

[@Kal311975]

That was a HUGE Crinoid you found in the wall! I hope you let a museum know about it. They might have a way to retrieve it.

[@Northern5tar]

Congrats! A skull is always special but this is a really nice find, being of such a humongous specimen of this species. Must have roamed the oceans for many many years. That unknown thing embedded in the rock wall is very intriguing. It really does look like some sort of coral or organism that grew on the ocean floor. And huge, whatever it is.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I totally agree! It must have been a beast back in the day! Probably saw a few Megalodon's swimming around, crazy to think about it!

[@Treasurehunter11001]

Incredible finds man . That skull must be excessively rare what a find !!!!!!!!!!! Really enjoyed the video.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Super rare!! Glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

Wow, I hope that coral is saved too. What a fantastic specimen.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I hope so too! I haven't heard anything yet about it.

[@Corntassels]

I saw a couple of your shorts, and really enjoyed them, then stumbled on the Penguin fossil find, and subbed. I love being able to follow along with you as you make these wonderful finds. "Oh my word," indeed! Thank you :)

[@grayhaven451]

Definitely one of your coolest finds that I have seen on your channel. Can't wait to see what comes from your prep later this week. Congratulations!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Awesome! Thank you! Busy uploading the prep now :)

[@brucerivers6627]

What a great find . Very beautiful fossils . I’m a rock hound also I have collected since I was a Boy Scout .

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Bruce! 😁

[@brucerivers6627]

Your welcome

[@KatyDidRocks]

3:58 - TERRIFYING! 5:15 looks like a conch shell. AWESOME FIND WITH THE FISH SKULL!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much Katy! Yeah, I agree - terrifying faces. That fish skull is so robust, not like any other fish fossil I have found or seen found before. It could be a shell, just have no idea how to remove it without messing it up!

[@notananimationchannel]

Those road timelapses are so satisfying! Good job on both the video and the hunt.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks! Loving the gopro's stability, makes it look like I'm flying 😁

[@Fred-zn5xh]

Dang, Nice finds! Can’t wait to see the prep for that “crab leg” or whatever it is, it will be cool to see!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Busy with it now, it's looking very "crabby" :)

[@Fred-zn5xh]

Guessing by the condition of the shells the crab will look very nice!

[@damianabbate4423]

Another amazing video! Thanks for taking the time to make these. Very inspiring.

[@twilightknight123]

I'm so glad youtube decided to recommend you. Love the videos and it's what I've been wanting to go out and start doing for years! How do you decide what beaches to search?

[@MamlamboFossils]

Yay I'm glad too! This one was really lucky, usually I Google for sedimentary areas but this one I just tried my luck at!

[@margiebrown7436]

The formation at 5:22 reminds me of a giant conch shell.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Yeah it really does! Imagine the size of it 😀

[@erincross4328]

That’s what I thought too. Or maybe a welk.

[@Wildart2]

@@erincross4328 That would make enough Ceviche for a year.

[@koliopeedesignsyay3158]

Has it been Identified yet?

[@pewpewpewpew6124]

@@koliopeedesignsyay3158 I think it's a left handed whelk shell, a giant one though

[@lilianfowler7988]

This one is a ways back but you never fail to be as gleeful as a kid at Christmas. It is contagious. Thank you and congrats. BTW I was really hoping for the mystery fossil in the wall, too. Lol I am sure you could tote it. No pressure. But that was a year ago.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Yeah, that fossil was gone last time I went to go check! Not sure what it could have been?!

[@lilianfowler7988]

@@MamlamboFossils I hope it found a good home. It is very impressive the time and care you spend bringing them to life. Also the scientific information you share. Sometimes, my grandchildren watch with me. Thanks, for being a role model for them to be curious and persistent.

[@MamlamboFossils]

@@lilianfowler7988 ah I love it so much that your grandchildren watch as well 😀

[@irischicklinda]

That's the biggest sea shell I've seen ! What a fantastic find !

[@tracey6038]

Congratulations on your fish skull fossil and I love the shells. Another great video. Cheers mate

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Tracey! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@afineliner740]

What a great find, congratulations, you'll be famous. Those shells are really outstanding. Good luck with the preps 👍

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much! The prep is done and uploaded, will publish it this evening.

[@timkbirchico8542]

Great moment for you, I collect fossils and stone tools in the Moroccan Sahara, I know the feeling when you find something special.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Wow you must find some amazing stuff!

[@majmikecalnan]

I was stationed with tbe Peacekeeping forces in tbe Western Sahara. I brought back 100kg of fossils found in minefields and battlegrounds.👍

[@steveclark4291]

Wow , thank you for sharing that awesome skull fossil ! Take care , stay safe and healthy wherever your next adventure takes you ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Steve! It is a great fossil :)

[@SimonTout]

Congratulations on your finds. Fortune favours the well prepared! Oamaru is looking very pretty too.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you very much! yeah, I love Oamaru. Such a cool town to spend time in!

[@tomgarzaiii7111]

Another awesome video as always. Congrats on those great finds.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Tom! I've had some good luck recently with the fossils 😁

[@Biffle-re3db]

The skull was a great find! It is totally amazing!!! Congratulations! Thanks for sharing, it was very interesting! 👍✌💖

[@MamlamboFossils]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a great surprise 😁

[@TJfossil]

Congratulations on the rare find! Great eye to spot that! Well done!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you! Cheers! I couldn't believe it :)

[@gaelicwarrior5064]

Just think of all the people that have randomly stepped across those skull fossils and saw trash. Congratulations, bud!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much!! I did misidentify it twice 😄

[@gaelicwarrior5064]

@@MamlamboFossils Don't be so hard on yourself. You claimed the prize and furthered the science. I'd call that a win on any day.

[@paleozofthelance5447]

@@MamlamboFossils Mamlambo. I found a fact that everyone forgot. Happy National Fossil Day! For me at least.

[@MamlamboFossils]

@@gaelicwarrior5064 Thanks! There might even be a paper written on this skull which would be amazing!

[@MamlamboFossils]

@@paleozofthelance5447 How did I not know that?! Thanks for the reminder :)

[@abigailgutbrod9205]

Looks like an extremely big welk type shell or branch of coral. How cool!

[@sherylcrowe3255]

I'm catching up on all your stuff! Wow amazing! Fantastic work. Thanks for sharing 🌼💛✌

[@lindalewis5066]

What amazing finds! Congratulations! Looking forward to the finished prep work. BTW, I always love your choice of music & seeing the countryside on your drives. 👍💌

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much! I'm loving those time-lapse driving videos as well, they come out so smoothly!

[@nickmerrill8030]

5:10, that has to be a giant conch and a massive one! I’ve seen some large ones diving off the coast of Florida and the Caribbean, that one may be larger than any I’ve seen?

[@MamlamboFossils]

I few people have said it could be a conch, I will have to go back and fetch it!

[@nickmerrill8030]

@@MamlamboFossils I'd like to see a video on that. Happy hunting Sir!

[@majmikecalnan]

More like a lightening whelk.

[@brucetaylor2887]

Yeah that is totally awesome find. Very inspired to keep up my regular beach / river combing!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Good luck! I hope you find something really good!

[@jorge89metal]

Congrats on the finds mate , got a jealous Aussie here wishing I could be out finding awesome fossils like you lol

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!! Hope you get to go out soon 😀

[@davidnieuwenhuis2590]

Always enjoying your video's! You are taking the one who watches it on an adventure with you. Its relaxing and exiting both at the same time. Finding moa bones or crabs and petrified wood. I wish i was aware off that at the time i have been there! Maybe next time. Congrats with your great find !! Cheers , David Nieuwenhuis

[@MamlamboFossils]

Awesome, thank you! I hope you get to visit NZ again soon. So many places to explore and look around for cool fossils and other treasures.

[@scotttrent9348]

Congratulations on an amazing find. Love watching your videos. Makes me want to get out and hunt for things. Keep them coming

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Scott! Hope you get time to go out and find some fossils soon 😁

[@roddydurst6108]

What a find! Congrats my friend. Can't wait to see you prep the possible crab to see what it is for sure. Thanks for the great videos.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks 👍 The prep is done for the crab, it will go live this evening :)

[@2flight]

epic day. great finds. thanks for taking us along!

[@MamlamboFossils]

My pleasure!

[@jimbracknell5648]

Awesome find! For a second I thought you were saying 'Bullfish" ; I was like...whats a bullfish...lol

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahahaha I need some good subtitles for my videos, but KZbin doesn't do well with my accent for the automatic subtitles :)

[@Doxymeister]

G'morning, Mamlambo, sipping coffee and saw your video....haven't been awake long enough to say anything intelligent, except...holy cow! That's incredible! What a productive and exciting day! And glad your hand has improved so much!

[@Doxymeister]

That mystery thing? That looks almost like a conch or whelk? IDK but it's gigantic!

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's very big! I'm still not sure if it's a trace fossil or not.

[@MamlamboFossils]

It was a great day! Well worth stopping and exploring the random beach, wish I had more time to explore it. I was only there for 30min.

[@hazelsegnitz3254]

7.22 like a child with a bag of peps !!!!🤗 Great find and video 👏

[@KittyLovesGlover]

5:10 looks like a massive whelk shell. Did you guys have a massive storn system that drudged all that up? just weird you were the first one there to collect all those! awesome though. I'd like to find just ONE fossil, lol. TY for sharing

[@MamlamboFossils]

It does look like a large shell! I'll have to go and fetch it sometime. There was some large ocean swells that week so might have been the reason 😁

[@sethwilliams3630]

What a find! You have definitely put the time on the beach, well earned find. Just those seashell's are a bucket list find for me. Happy hunting.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Seth! It was such a random find, I literally spent 20min on that beach!

[@Failedprodegy42]

Omg! It's just littered with some of the best skipping stones I've ever seen!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahaha true!!!

[@wendygoicochea5910]

This looks so much fun. Wish i could do what you do. I got excited when i saw the skull on the beach.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahahah I just wish I didnt get the species wrong twice 😂😂

[@fenixrose85]

These are so relaxing to watch !

[@colombecouture7974]

Great find. I love how you enjoy what you're doing.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much! I really do enjoy getting out there and looking for fossils :)

[@patrickforget5088]

Yeah when I first seen that I love your chat channel I especially love some of those crabs that you find and I can imagine your fossils that's what would be cool to see it's like your fossil room and go over the best ones you found

[@RESEARCHINGYOURROOTS]

Great video. Thanks for sharing you incredible and historical finds!

[@MamlamboFossils]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@User-wj7vx]

i would love to get into fossil hunting, blows my mind every time just imagining these things living life millions of years ago

[@gerritrookworst3701]

Where are you from? Almost all countries have fossils.

[@User-wj7vx]

Gerrit Rookworst the part of the UK near ICI but it’s all just industrial estates and dumping grounds

[@MamlamboFossils]

You might have to go to the Yorkshire coast :)

[@loutra4782]

Great stuff again 👍👍👍

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Pamelaandjoulepii]

This is good ! I posted a fish head I found in BC Canada and this helps me . I’m going to bring mine somewhere to see if it’s real too! Mine is about 1.5 inches . Much smaller but the detail is incredible.

[@MamlamboFossils]

That sounds amazing!!! If you can, please email me a picture [e-mail] 😁

[@elizabeththomas6743]

@ 4:54 my husband and I both agreed it looked like a massive conch shell. I’ve never seen one so big!

[@MamlamboFossils]

I went back and couldn't find it again, but I will look at it again!

[@fossilwildlife5198]

Hey Mamlambo, the bone 3:37 is an ulna bone. I am not sure about the species (maybe rabbit/hare). You know that better which animals live there. And the skull is incredible!!! 🤠⛏️

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks for that! I had a quick google and it looks to be a rabbit / hare ulna like you say :)

[@andypanda4927]

Agreed could be tibia, also. Seemed over long for rabbit relative, spanned all 4 fingers. Better finds than I ever had, just some shark or fish teeth and a, mostly intact, beaver skull

[@Cliffwalkerrockhounding]

I would say its a wing bone from a sea bird. How dense is it?

[@michaelterrill6444]

Man. To think your possibly the first human to ever touch something that is 50 million years old. Is un real. Super cool.

[@lennynash8221]

Wow, that is such an amazing find. Congratulations

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Lenny! I'm still blown away!

[@aserta]

2:30 3 of those stones have stuff in them. But they're probably too small to have something worth the effort. 3:40 is a kitty bone. The ulna to be more specific. 3:57 looks straight out of a Star Trek TOS set :)) 5:12 whatever it is, it clearly has a spiral or at least concentric structure at the bottom, might be worth excavating. (edit: or not, you took the wiser option). Congrats on the skull!!!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks for the ID of that bone, I checked it out online and it does look correct! Those rock formations sure were spooky! I agree, that big spiral-shaped fossil will be worth fetching with the correct tools. Thanks, I'm really happy with the skull!

[@roygbiv4675]

Looks like a giant conch! Incredible find!

[@davidschmale3359]

Crinoid? At 6:00

[@Marine777-bn6cf]

@5:50 looks like a welk shell I would of dug it out or chiseled it out for sure

[@liamcarey335]

So cool! The skull is awesome- how big would that billfish have been? The 19 million year old shells are a great find.

[@MamlamboFossils]

It must have been a pretty big one! At least a few metres big I would say 😄

[@phillipdavis3705]

You have a keen eye, I would have thought it to be drift wood. Great video you look like you really enjoy!😁

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks 👍 I must admit, I thought it was petrified wood at first!

[@athelwulfgalland]

I would've thought that was a piece of petrified wood - even after seeing signs it could be otherwise. Good on ya for correctly identifying that skull. I wonder what that other chunk of bone is though and if it's related to the fish? My father passed a concretion full of shells like those you showed here on to my sister and I but the quality wasn't near as good.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I was fooled and thought petrified wood as well at first!

[@MayMay8t8]

How did I miss this video! haha your reaction when you realised it was a skull ! I replayed it 5 times LOL " uh uuuh uh whooo"!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hahahahaha I really thought it was petrified wood at first. It looks just like some other pieces I have found before. Glad I got the skull part right, even though I got the species wrong!

[@aundreya22]

Did anything ever happen to that strange formation on the cliff? I'd wanna go back and start slowly chipping away at it lol

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's still there as far as I know 😁 I notified the local museum so they might still go fetch it.

[@robertbeighter6336]

Congrats man, congrats - what an epic couple of hunts. Did you get some nice agates as well? Oamaru is a nice wee town, try getting down there for the fete, its amazing.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks! I only found that one agate, I didn't have much time to fossil hunt - I was really lucky with what I found!

[@20171118]

I have some knowledge, so I think it's fun to understand various things. Thank you for the wonderful video.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@jjbentley9]

Very cool finds.😁

[@philipcallicoat9947]

How did it end up there? Perhaps it washed out of the nearby bank... I don't agree with your ageing, but I am grateful for your interest and scholarly approach....

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Philip, it must have rolled out of that bank. Appreciate the kind way in which you disagree with the time period. I am by no means an expert in that area and I am going according to the geological period of the exposed area. Thanks for commenting!

[@chriscone784]

That skull is amazing. Excellent find!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Chris! It is something special!

[@lizzymoore54]

Looks like a sea shell of some type! It’s HUGE if it is, WOW!!!! Can’t wait to see the skull prepped! Great finds this time, mate. ☺️ Random beaches it is from now on.....👏👏👏

[@TRACYROUNDS]

I agree the item at 5:12 sure looks like a shell.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Fingers crossed! That skull is going to be a beast to prep but will be worth it. It's quite a significant find, so I might get to write it up :)

[@patrickmay4489]

Great find....I noticed you had the skull fossils in kiddie pool with fresh water. Do you have to leach out the salts in fossils found in the ocean? Pat

[@MamlamboFossils]

Good question! I forgot to add that in, you are correct. I was trying to leach out some of the salt and sand in the clean water.

[@Dusty357]

That bone is from a birds wing a often find them here in the uk when am out looking for feathers for fletchings

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks so much for that info! 👍

[@Forticus55]

That’s what I came to say. You beat me to it.

[@jasonrice8066]

Beautiful. You’re so lucky. Keep it up Mourne!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you! 😃

[@raygrange7312]

Great stuff again. For all you rock fanatics out there. Found a good channel called Treasure hunter. Guy from the UK. Excellent fossils and locations.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Awesome thank you! I'll check it out :)

[@davidpachan9121]

The large cone shaped piece you marked with GPS looks a lot like a giant welk shell. Did you ever get any other input on it?

[@TheOldladyB]

Unbelievable find. Well done.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Darlene!

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

* The shell at the 4:58 mark looks like a Lightening Welk which grow that big today as well as in fossils.. ~ Can't wait to see you prep the Skull.. Hope it is mostly complete..

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks for the info Leslye! The skull is mostly exposed just by mother nature so I won't have to do much!

[@ivantimofivichkuslov175]

What a beautiful place. I wish i can travel the world and do what you do..🥰

[@MamlamboFossils]

It really is a beautiful country 😁 thanks for watching!

[@ivantimofivichkuslov175]

@@MamlamboFossils i wonder if i can find fossils here in the philippines. I dont know where to look. 😅

[@rissanen1957]

I have some very beautiful fossils I found while I lived in texas and a full clam shell with the ridges on both sides. Yours don’t look as old as ones I have . Somewhere in my yard there is a fish head. I would see people all the time picking at rocks for fossils . Now that she’ll is a good one. I bet if you go through those rocks you’ll find a lot. I’ve always had a good eyed for fossils. I wanted to spend my life digging for dinosaurs. I still love them to this day. Just sit me in a area like that and watch what I find.

[@MamlamboFossils]

That sounds like an amazing place! Sounds like there are some really cool fossils in your area :)

[@sarejen6868]

Woah! Finding the skull is so awesome! Congrats! It would be fun just following you around even if had to drag your wagon lol

[@MamlamboFossils]

That would be cool! I'm always looking for people to come along :)

[@ingoluneburg14]

from the time 2.46 to 3.01 could what looks like wood belong to the fossil head? possibly a complete fossil? How far were the finds from each other? And thank you for your great videos and your totally personable demeanor. I live in Germany, in Schleswig-Holstein on the Baltic Sea coast, and I find interesting things here from time to time. I don't have your trained eye yet. I am happy to read from you. mfg Ingo

[@RG.147]

Wow a fish skull! That must be very rare, I’ve never fossil hunted in New Zealand, but where I fossil hunt, skulls are rare as well, so I haven’t found one yet

[@LouellaLikes]

Congrats, what treasures you found! The object in the rock looked like a giant shell to me.Stay safe !

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you, I will! I didn't want to damage the "shell" so left it and let the local museum know where it was in case it was something worth fetching 😄

[@theWightRabbit]

Was that odd bone at 3:30 a baculum? It had a bit of a knob (heh) at the end though, might've been a ball joint.

[@ForgottenFossils]

crazy find wow

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Craig!

[@dyannejohnson6184]

That formation is perfect for artistic shots lovvved that

[@MamlamboFossils]

It's a beautiful area!

[@lathesailor2836]

That's a shell!! Like a conch type! That's huge!

[@MamlamboFossils]

I'll have to go and fetch it!

[@lispy5174]

very cool finds mambo!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Lispy! 😄

[@Magisktification]

Wow amazing hunt. Conparing to were im at in Sweden i would get excited about just about every damn rock visible around that skull!

[@benmurphy1943]

Do you plan to remove the stone deposit inside the mouth, would there be any teeth still lurking in that crevice?

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Dude! I miss being able to watch your vids. I’ve gotten busy lately but man. Seriously, I love going on the hunts with you brother. It’d be a dream to do my first fossil hunt with you one day. Once that trans-tasman bubble gets going. Sendin ya mega much love brother. You’re doing frickin awesome man. But obviously of course. Your vids are easy and pleasant to watch. Seriously.

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

Yeah just loved this.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Hi Rookie! I really hope that trans-tasman bubble opens soon! Thanks for all the support, it really means so much! I'm planning a trip over to Aus as well to do some fossil hunting, we should try and plan an agate trip as well so you can show me how to find some chalcedony goodness! Chat soon

[@Rookie_Rockounding]

@@MamlamboFossils oi man that would be awesome! Please when you know plans etc let me know okay. I’d be so pumped to hound with y’a!

[@abrumarci]

If you take a closer look at that wash you may find nice stones, including jasper and agates... I'm fond of those stones, and beaches are very good places to find them.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks for the tips! I did find some nice agates on that beach, not great ones but fun to find.

[@abrumarci]

I could say "I'm so jealous you have such great places to explore!", but I rather say I'm happy for you! Great job!

[@MamlamboFossils]

@@abrumarci Thanks! I'm really fortunate to have access to such amazing fossils :)

[@markclelland3510]

Wow! Great find, congratulations.

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bretthess6376]

Superb billfish find. I wonder how long it was. 12 to 15 feet is my guesstimate.

[@MamlamboFossils]

It would have been a beast! More than 10ft at least I think :)

[@chova1000]

Wow!!! Incredible, now you have a unique and special piece

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thank you! Cheers! This one is going to have a special place in my collection :)

[@rwitter5333]

I like your music selections

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks! Its so hard to choose the music!

[@cptnkaos5994]

Great finds congrats

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks mate!

[@parkeraddams7590]

I love thinking about the situation that made it so that skull preserved. What killed the fish? Another fish? Did it eat something too big like we've seen from other fish or marine reptiles before now? How did the head end up somewhere to preserve so well? Why wasn't it scavenged to bits? I wish we had a way to find out, haha.

[@MamlamboFossils]

I wonder if it died and the body lay on the seafloor where it got buried by some event. Maybe a mudslide caused by an earthquake? It's strange that the bones haven't been scattered like you would expect if it was scavenged by other fish and crabs.

[@maywalker997]

@@MamlamboFossils You can also get anaerobic events in the ocean, where nutrient imbalances cause massive algae blooms which then starve the water of oxygen and die-off, leaving a large zone of oxygen deprived water. These events still occur in the ocean today (often triggered by farm chemical fertiliser run-off into the ocean though) and pretty much anything which enters and gets lost in the dead zone suffocates to death (only small scavengers with low-oxygen requirements like crabs can survive). I would imagine that many of these dead zones might create ideal conditions for fossilisation of larger animals. In the deepest depths of the ocean you can also get "underwater lakes" of concentrated salt water. These really do look like pools of water under the water and if creatures swim into them, they can die from the high salt content if they do not escape quickly enough. I often think that these sites would be great places for fossilisation to occur. There are also beaching events on stmall islands, where there may be a general lack of large and powerful scavengers which can break down and scatter bones. During an intense storm, flood surge or tsunami, sea creatures may also be buried in mud and sands almost as soon as they are beached.

[@billmc4673]

HI MATE..THAT SKULL! WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING RANDOM DISCOVERY..I KNOW THAT THE EXPERTS IN CANTERBURY HAVE IDENTIFIED IT AS A SPECIES OF 'BILL FISH '..BUT THAT LARGE EYE SOCKET..AND THE BROADNESS OF THE SKULL,AND THE SWEEPING TAPERING..I'D HAVE GUESSED AT AN ICHYTHEOSAUR...BUT I'M NO EXPERT..SO PLEASED FOR YOU..BRILLIANT!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Glad you enjoyed it! I thought Ichthyosaur as well, but it's way too young in that area. So bill fish is the only one that really makes sense. Hope you're doing well that side :)

[@billmc4673]

ALL GOOD HERE 👍..I HAVE A FEW PIECES WHICH SHOW SIMILAR COLOURATION AND WEATHERING. DO YOU THINK MAYBE IT'S WASHED UP..RATHER THAN WASTED OUT?!..CERTAINLY WORTH HAVING ANOTHER LOOK AROUND THAT LOCATION,SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. ESPECIALLY AFTER A STORM SURGE..BEST WISHES..

[@butchh11]

Awesome .Thanks for sharing

[@MamlamboFossils]

My pleasure! 😁

[@TheIdahogrl]

Kia Ora from the state of Idaho, USA. Amazing finds!

[@MamlamboFossils]

Kia Ora! Thanks for watching 😄

[@shookings]

The rocks in the wash look like river stones. Was there a river there long ago, or is it just something dumped?

[@MamlamboFossils]

I think there was a river nearby at one stage which is now overgrown, good eyes!

[@linsfruit5240]

Wow man !! Fantastic finding a 48 M fish fossil 👍👏

[@MamlamboFossils]

Thanks Linda!