Fossilized Wood Artifact, Native American

Description

Opalized wood is a fossil. Over time decaying plant matter held deep underground is replaced with a silica-rich gel that undergoes further changes due to the pressure and heat of the Earth itself. The resulting stone will completely fill the place where the wood decayed, creating a pseudomorph of opal or agate as the case may be.

In the colorful hills along the north side of Texas Spring Canyon, about 25 miles north of Wells, is another prime site for hunting petrified wood. This area is particularly well-known for pink limb casts–complete, glassy sections with translucent pink interiors. Pieces may also be opalized white or an iron-influenced light red to black.