Travertine is a non-clastic sedimentary rock which forms as stalactites and stalagmites in caves through the evaporative precipitation of carbonates. Travertine can also form near hot springs through a similar process, as can the more porous calcareous tuff (tufa in Italian), not to be confused with volcanic tuff (tufo). Travertine is rarely used for sculpture because of the holes that characterise its texture but it is a common building material at Rome and is sometimes employed for sarcophagus chests.
