From west of Africa, the golden speckles are likely to be shells of foraminifera. Art historian M.J. Kemp called this "A speckled galaxy of organisms." I have the bucket labeled as "The Dark Cemetary." This came from a 4 inch layer in a core -- below it the concentration of carbonate was so great that it looks more like mustard when it's fired. I love this as a representation of the metaphor -- ocean as womb and tomb. |