what type of rock are fossils found in

Fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks, and most fossils occur in shale, limestone, and sandstone. Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediment that becomes compacted and cemented over a long period of time. The likelihood of an organism being preserved as a fossil depends on many factors, including the type of sedimentary rock and the location of the organism. For example, organisms that live in topographically low places, such as lakes or ocean basins, have a better chance of being preserved because they are already in locations where sediment is likely to bury them and shelter them from scavengers and decay. Sandstone, shale, and limestone are examples of sedimentary rocks likely to contain fossils. Conglomerate and breccia rocks can also provide fossils periodically, in the pebbles that make up the rocks. Fossils are rarely found in metamorphic or igneous rocks because the heat and pressure involved in their formation typically destroy any organic material.