WW-73 is a fossil collection site in Washakie County, Wyoming, cataloged in the Paleobiology Database. Fossils here come from the Willwood Formation, dated to the Early Eocene (56–48.07 million years ago). The depositional environment is recorded as floodplain. Documented finds include Palaeanodon nievelti, Esthonyx gunnelli, Coryphodon, Macrocranion junnei, Arfia junnei, Chriacus badgleyi.

Geologic setting

Formation: Willwood
Geologic interval: Early Eocene
Age: 56–48.07 Ma
Depositional environment: "floodplain"
Recorded occurrences: 11

Geology notes

"Purple 3" is one of four distinct & laterally traceable paleosols above "Red 1" in the South Section of Sand Creek Divide. The matrix color of the three purple paleosols varies laterally between purple and red. P3 has a distinct yellow top, and this paleosol can be correlated to a yellow-purple couplet at ~15 m level in\r\nthe North section.

Locality notes

T 48 N, R 92 W, on McDermotts Butte Quadrangle, in Washakie County, Wyoming. SE¼, SE¼, section 3.

Fossils found here

Palaeanodon nievelti

Mammalia · Metacheiromyidae

Esthonyx gunnelli

Mammalia · Esthonychidae

Coryphodon

Mammalia · Coryphodontidae

Macrocranion junnei

Mammalia · Amphilemuridae

Arfia junnei

Mammalia · Hyaenodontidae

Chriacus badgleyi

Mammalia · Arctocyonidae

Hyopsodus loomisi

Mammalia · Hyopsodontidae

Ectocion parvus

Mammalia · Phenacodontidae

Dissacus praenuntius

Mammalia · Mesonychidae

Diacodexis ilicis

Mammalia · Diacodexeidae

Sifrhippus index

Mammalia · Equidae

Records and references

Data: Paleobiology Database collection 154253 (CC BY 4.0) — view the source record

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Questions about WW-73

Can you collect at WW-73?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at WW-73?

Fossil.

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What to bring

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Meteorite nearbyA 8.9 kg stony meteorite was found at Hyattville in 2008, 16 miles from here.

Source: Paleobiology Database.