Favosites Honeycomb Coral
Favosites sp. cf. Favosites gothlandicus • Body fossil, invertebrate marine colonial organism
Geological Period
Silurian to Devonian
Estimated Age
443 to 359 million years ago
Preservation Type
Permineralization and calcitic replacement with good structural detail retention
Condition Assessment
Good, showing clear surface structures and corallite walls with moderate weathering on outer edges
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Cnidaria, Class: Anthozoa, Order: Tabulata, Family: Favositidae, Genus: Favosites
Morphological Description
Massive colonial coral exhibiting tightly packed, polygonal corallites resembling a honeycomb structure. Transverse walls contain tiny perforations known as pore plates or mural pores, characteristic of the genus.
Rock Matrix
Buff-colored fossiliferous limestone and calcareous shales
Formation & Location
Midwest United States, particularly the Niagara Escarpment and Jeffersonville Limestone formations
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 8 cm by 6 cm by 5 cm, fitting comfortably in hand and representing a medium-sized colonial fragment
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
15 to 45 USD
Auction Estimate
20 to 50 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common, frequently found in Silurian and Devonian marine deposits globally
Scientific Significance
Provides key insights into ancient shallow-water tropical marine environments, reef-building paleoecology, and Paleozoic biodiversity
Preparation Recommendations
Gentle mechanical cleaning with a soft brush and water; store in a dry, stable indoor environment away from acidic conditions
Notable Features
Exceptionally clear, uniform polygonal corallite walls that distinctly illustrate the characteristic honeycomb pattern