Potamon Species Fossil Crab Preserved in Travertine | Turkey

Approx. specimen size: 3.5" x 3"

Approx. matrix size: 5.5" x 5" x 2"

This cute little fellow is a fossil freshwater crab preserved in travertine.  It is spectacularly preserved as a 3D outer cast within a cavity in white travertine.

Travertine is a form of limestone deposited around mineral springs.  It is often used as a building material, and that is how these crabs are discovered.  When workers are sawing blocks of travertine, these crabs can be found when voids are cut into.