fossil

Fossil Coral in Limestone

Scleractinia (Anthomastodon or similar) in Sedimentary Calcarenite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3 (calcite matrix) to 4; Color: tan, cream, beige, and brown; Luster: earthy to dull; Structure: radiate septa-like patterns from a central point; Cleavage: none (fragmentary).

Hardness: 3 (calcite matrix) to 4
Color: tan, cream, beige, and brown
Luster: earthy to dull

Identified July 19, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 (calcite matrix) to 4; Color: tan, cream, beige, and brown; Luster: earthy to dull; Structure: radiate septa-like patterns from a central point; Cleavage: none (fragmentary).

Formation & geological history

Formed in a marine environment where coral organisms were buried by calcium carbonate sediment. Over millions of years, lithification turned the sediment into limestone and permineralization preserved the coral structure. Most commercial travertine/limestone fossils date to the Cenozoic or Mesozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as decorative building stone, floor tiles, countertops, and facing material. Also of interest to amateur paleontologists and fossil collectors.

Geological facts

The specimen appears to be embedded in a slab of 'Travertine' or 'Italian Limestone,' which is famous for containing perfectly preserved marine cross-sections. This specific pattern is a cross-section of a colonial or solitary coral.

Field identification & locations

Look for fan-like or honeycomb patterns in polished limestone surfaces in commercial buildings. In the field, look for textured areas in sedimentary rock layers that differ from the surrounding matrix.