Potamon Crab Fossil (C)- Denizli Basin | River Walkers Minerals

This is a beautifully intimate Potamon crab fossil preserved inside a narrow travertine chamber from the Denizli Basin of southwestern Turkey. Unlike the open, broad-plate specimens, this piece formed within a long carved-out pocket, giving the impression of discovering a crab tucked safely beneath a natural stone overhang. Its carapace, claws, and leg segments are thickly mineralized and surrounded by broken limb plates exactly as they were preserved, offering a raw and authentic look into the fossilization process.

The crab rests against a richly botryoidal travertine floor, with sparkling micro-crystals covering the entire cavity. The surrounding matrix transitions to smooth, pale travertine walls with natural porosity and subtle layering, creating a dramatic contrast between the protected inner chamber and the rougher outer block. The way the crab sits partially sheltered beneath the ledge is absolutely adorable! This fossil not only is UV reactive, but it’s also phosphorescent. 

Potamon crabs are freshwater species still found today around the eastern Mediterranean. Their fossils occur in the Pleistocene era (approx 400,000 years old), formed in warm, spring-fed environments. In this piece, the mineral-rich waters preserved not only the crab but also delicate surrounding textures, making it an exceptional natural-history display. 

Details:

• Species: Potamon sp. (freshwater crab)
• Formation: Travertine
• Locality: Denizli Basin, southwestern Turkey
• Age: Pleistocene era (approx 400,000 years old)
• Dimensions: 6 × 3.2 in (approx. 15.2 × 8.1 cm)
• Weight: 1.56 lbs (approx. 708 g)

This piece displays beautifully lying flat to highlight the recessed chamber, but also stands upright for a self-standing cross-section effect that reveals the depth of the pocket and the crab’s natural positioning.