What kind of rocks typically contain fossils from shallow seas?

Limestones are the types of rocks that typically contain fossils from shallow seas because they are primarily composed of calcite, which originates from the accumulation of biological materials, such as the skeletal remains of marine organisms. These organisms include corals, mollusks, and algae, which thrive in warm, shallow marine environments. As these organisms die, their remains can accumulate and lithify into limestone.

Limestone often exhibits a texture that provides insight into its biological origins, including fossilized remains that can be preserved within the rock matrix. This characteristic makes limestone a valuable resource for paleontologists and geologists studying the history of ancient marine environments.

While sandstones and shales can also retain fossilized remains, they typically represent different depositional environments and may not be as rich in marine fossils as limestones. Granites, being igneous rocks formed from the crystallization of magma, generally do not contain fossils at all. Therefore, limestone is the most significant rock type associated with shallow sea fossilization.