Rock Identifier
Fossil Skin Impression (Tegumentary fossil imprint in sedimentary ironstone) — fossil
fossil

Fossil Skin Impression

Tegumentary fossil imprint in sedimentary ironstone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 5-7 depending on matrix; brown to reddish-brown color; dull luster; amorphous matrix with preserved organic microstructure; high specific gravity due to iron content.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Fossil Skin Impression in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Mohs hardness 5-7 depending on matrix; brown to reddish-brown color; dull luster; amorphous matrix with preserved organic microstructure; high specific gravity due to iron content.

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Paleozoic or Mesozoic eras when soft tissue or skin was rapidly buried in fine-grained sediment and replaced or cast by minerals.

Uses & applications

Valuable for paleontological research, museum displays, and advanced fossil collecting.

Geological facts

Exceptional specimens preserve fine scale patterns, offering rare direct evidence of extinct animal integument.

Field identification & locations

Identify by distinct repeating scale or polygon patterns on weathered sedimentary rock surfaces; commonly found in concretions.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

fossil
Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Porous limestone pebble (Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image) — sedimentary

Porous limestone pebble

Calcite-rich limestone (primarily CaCO₃); exact identification is uncertain from the image

sedimentary
Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain) (Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image) — fossil

Weathered fossil bone fragment (identification uncertain)

Fossilized bone; exact taxon and mineral composition cannot be determined from the image

fossil