Bone People: Are we just along for the Ride ?

At Incoming Bytes  we're interested in everything  even though alternative energy, politics and elections,  the Arab world's self-destruction  and the recent horrific natural  disasters seem to demand attention  at times.

In spite of all of those tragic and ongoing occurrences,  including the Canadian Federal election,  we still like to THINK and ponder  the unknown,   delight in " the universe",   contemplate  "things we've never seen before"   and examine all things unusual.

So, for the curious, here is something new and different to ponder. It has nothing to do with Japan,   radiation, politicos,   elections,  big oil,  or alternative energy.

It is a simple piece of bone, and it's really old.  You'll see why.  It made me wonder.  Is this totally alien?  A dinosaur bone?   Alien means  just means  'unknown', for the record -- I don't have any intention of pretending  it's   related to E.T.  who wanted to phone home ,  or a bone from an  " IncomingBytusichtyosaur"  .  Maybe  we'll have to invent a name for it, who knows?

Will this be the piece of  bone to reveal that on this earth, are we just along for the ride? 
                                                                                                                                   Some time back in 2006  I  was digging a  hole and discovered an  "unusual"  piece of bone.  It really  is unlike anything I've ever seen.   It was found SEALED in undisturbed,  wet reddish clay, sealed perfectly, at a depth of about two feet in soil that has never been cultivated or disturbed.

Maybe it's been there for centuries.
  As you can see in the photo  it is the same colour as the clay,  it was DRY  but  but has since dried out even more.   In this photo, it is shown at  about  3/4 of life-size, and this photo was taken a couple of days after the clay was washed off.    It lacks symmetry and is unlike anything I've ever seen.

Unidentified Bone found in wet clay  (c)2006 r.a. kukkee 

One of the very interesting things about this artifact is that it displays what looks like  osteoporosis  in some areas.  Osteoporosis  is the loss of calcium and mineral, resulting in a   porous, sponge-like bone,  showing many tiny holes from the surface

Some people suggest that only human beings have osteoporosis.  

Maybe that's a clue, or maybe that concept is just debatable. After all, animal bones have calcium in them too.


The visible  marks  on the bone in this picture were found after the clay was washed off.  The visible hole is not mechanically made, but natural, and  round, as are the  smaller,  peripheral holes. The holes  are  neatly chamfered, as opposed to having sharp edges.

This is what the UNDERSIDE looks like,  it has been sitting on the bookshelf for some time,  see the natural colour now ?

Unidentified bone  underside   c 2011  r.a. kukkee

 This is a side view,   notice the sponge-like appearance of the bone.

This view shows more osteoporosis, and the protruding side.  Where a limb connects, we assume ?  All paleontologists  and bone people are invited to comment.

Here's a shot  of  the edge. 

edge--Unidentified bone c 2011 r.a. kukkee

AND another top view  on the shelf.

Unidentified bone c2011  r.a.kukkee

So, PEOPLE,,,,,,any guesses?  Comments?  Know what it is?  

All I know is that it's a cool bone, and I know it's OLD.  

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.