By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a bill that would designate the Jurassic Armored Mud Ball (JAMB) as the official sedimentary structure of the state.
Supporters said that these mud balls are one of the rarest sedimentary structures in the world, representing a unique geologic environment and are only easily seen in Massachusetts. They noted that they can be found in Greenfield, Turners Falls, Gill and Deerfield.
Richard Little, Professor Emeritus of Greenfield Community College is leading the fight to preserve and publicize the JAMB.
“The intriguing and amusingly named armored mud balls formed as mud rolled down flooding streams and became coated with pebbles – the armor,” said Little. “These sedimentary structures are so rare that, in the whole world, they are only easily seen in the red sedimentary rocks of the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Officially celebrating them as one of Massachusetts’ symbols, will preserve them for future generations. After all, they are in the same Jurassic rock layers as our State Dinosaur (Podokesaurus) and State Fossil (Dino Footprints). That is why I am leading a working group of scientists and citizens to preserve these rare features.”
Advocates also note that famous Greenfield native and magician, Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller once said, “I may live in Las Vegas and travel the world, but my armored mud balls will always be in Greenfield. Let’s protect them.”