Welcome to the
Friends of Gray Fossil Site


Saturday, December 11, 2004, 1 - 3 p.m. Hutcheson Hall, ETSU Campus, Dr. Mick Whitelaw described some of the latest geological investigations at the Gray Site. A 34 meter core has been obtained all the way to Paleozoic bedrock with near complete recovery for stratigraphy, paleomagnetism and palynology. Sediments were found to have a surprising amount of magnetite, particluarly in some opf the deeper layers, and that was the component that provided the remnant magnetism. 53 paleomagnetic samples were analysed for vertical magnetic component at the University of Florida. Scattered data suggest the presence of normal magnetic conditions in the highest and lower sediments, and reversed polarity in the middle layers. Magnetic inclinations appeared substantially flattened, due to post-depositional compaction, deformation, or unknown causes. The core and associated auger samples did not encounter vertebrate material at depth. Pollen samples, after digestion of sediment with hydrofluoric acid, contained grains from oak and other species among the residual organic material. Probable gastroliths (small polished stones from the stomachs of fish) have also been recovered.

A gravity survey is also being conducted with readings on a 10 meter grid. This is hoped to reveal information about the density of the underlying rock and therefore the extent and boundaries of the less-dense clay sediments.

At the Site, the corners of the new visitor center have been staked out, but much work is suspended due to frequent rain and high water levels. [Dec. 11, 2004]


******************************************

Sept 21, 2004
images of
Teleoceras excavation.
See link in table below

Gray site yields unusual new find


ETSU photo

February 16, 2004
Knoxville
News Sentinel,
by Matt Whittaker.

Tooth of "red panda"*
found in Washington
County fossil bonanza
FULL STORY »

Johnson City Press: Feb. 15, Ben Ingram
More recent articles, Sam Watson, July 22, Aug. 5, Sept. 15, Sept. 16, Sept. 19 . . .
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Search for "fossil"
(Requires registration for archived articles, kept online indefinitely.)

Similar items also appear in the Kingsport Times,
http://www.timesnews.net/
also requires registration.
Read both sources, as each may contain additional information..

*Member of the family Ailuropodidae, sharing some characteristics in common
with bears (Ursidae) and raccoons, (Procyonidae). See for instance
http://www.statenislandzoo.org/Autumn2003/Aut03RedPandas.html
for more info on these critters and their problematic relations.



Initial day's "haul" of tapir remains, establishing the importance of the unique deposits at Gray,
by Kohl, Bolt, Lemiszki, and Price. Upper right object is a piece of lignite. May 31, 2001.

Partial Rhinoceros jaw recovered during highway excavation, spring, 2000.
photo by Harry Moore.

The purpose of this website [was] to promote the conservation and appropriate development of the unique vertebrate fossil site at Gray, in upper East Tennessee. This goal being accomplished with the opening of the museum, Aug 31, 2007, the website now serves as an archive for historically interesting pictures and items.

 


Newsletter, Spring, 2005

Newsletter, March, 2004

Newsletter, October, 2003

Newsletter, March 2002

Newsletter, September, 2001

Newsletter May, 2001


Filming and status,
June 15, 2006

April 22, 2005

Sept. 2004 visit to site

2003 exhibit at the Reece Museum

Gray Site Fossil Exhibits
Likewise on the pictures

April 19, 2003 meeting at the Site

Recent Activities, Summer, 2002
Larger pictures, may take a while.

Recent Activities, Spring 2002

 


FRIENDS OF THE GRAY FOSSIL SITE
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION



Name:____________________________

Address:__________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

Phone:____________________________

Fax:______________________________

Email:_____________________________
     

More information???
LAWhittemore@aol.com

DUES-payable per year

Seniors (over 65): $10.00
Disabled $10.00
Individual: $15.00
Family: $25.00
Sustaining: $35.00
Corporate: $100.00

Please circle all that are applicable:

Newsletter
 
Artwork
Promote preservation and interest in site
Fundraising   Advertising
Secretarial   Scientific interest
Volunteer to work fairs and festivals
Volunteer to prepare materials for fairs and festivals
Other (Please specify) _____________________
_______________________________________

Send dues payable to:
Friends of the Gray Fossil Site
P.O. Box 792
Dandridge, TN. 37725
More information??? LAWhittemore@aol.com


 

Tapir skull being excavated from organic clays at the Gray Site, spring, 2000.
Photo by Harry Moore.

Links:


http://www.grayfossilmuseum.com/?CONTEXT=art&art=5
http://www.etsu.edu/grayfossilsite/
Steven Wallace, ETSU
Martin Kohl, TN Division of Geology
Bob Gardner, ETSU
Dorothy Humpf, ETSU
About modern tapirs
More on modern tapirs
Harry Moore, Tennessee Department of Transportation
Fossil preparation and conservation
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/, search for "fossil" to get recent articles.


Message Board
(shared with Graysite1.net)
Leave Message View Messages

Webmaster