Tabulate Coral / Honeycomb Coral
Favosites sp. cf. Favosites gothlandicus • Body fossil, invertebrate colonial coral
Geological Period
Silurian to Devonian
Estimated Age
419 to 443 million years old
Preservation Type
Silicification and calcitic permineralization with surface weathering
Condition Assessment
Good condition, showing clear surface detail of the corallite walls and honeycomb pattern, though moderately weathered on the exterior surfaces with minor abrasion on edges
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Cnidaria, Class: Anthozoa, Order: Tabulata, Family: Favositidae, Genus: Favosites
Morphological Description
Massive, dome-shaped colonial coral exhibiting closely packed, polygonal (mostly hexagonal) corallites resembling a honeycomb structure. Individual tubes display visible mural pores connecting adjacent walls and well-developed horizontal tabulae inside the corallites.
Rock Matrix
Buff-colored weathered limestone / dolostone matrix
Formation & Location
Niagara Escarpment, North America, and various worldwide Silurian-Devonian marine limestone formations
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 8 cm x 7 cm x 5 cm, typical for a moderate-sized colonial fragment
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $40 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common, widely distributed in Paleozoic marine deposits globally
Scientific Significance
Provides crucial paleoecological data regarding ancient shallow-water tropical marine environments, reef construction, and Paleozoic marine biodiversity before the Permian-Triassic extinction
Preparation Recommendations
Gentle washing with warm water and a soft-bristle brush to remove dirt from corallites. No aggressive acid preparation needed due to preservation state. Store in a stable, dry environment.
Notable Features
Exceptionally clear honeycomb-like hexagonal corallite geometry across multiple growth surfaces, making it a classic and highly recognizable educational and display specimen