Are these scales or skin?

[HMBfossils]

Hi all:

 

First, thank you for this forum!  I really appreciate the responses.  If anyone can help identify this I'd appreciate it.  There were huge storms in California that brought down a lot of fossils from the cliff.  I think this is one.  Thank you!

[fossilus]

Looks very flat on one side (second photo). Manmade material? 

[jpc]

I think this is a  carbonized impression of some sort of plant material

[Rockwood]

Is this wet, and if so does it shine like that when it's dry. The black looks like tar and the rest more like fire brick to me.

[JohnJ]

54 minutes ago, fossilus said:

Looks very flat on one side (second photo). Manmade material? 

 

That was my impression too.  Looks like the rusted remains of metal mesh in a chunk of mortar or stucco.

[Rockwood]

32 minutes ago, JohnJ said:

metal mesh

Expanded steel lath. I think you may have it.

[HMBfossils]

Thanks all!  It is a little sparkly when dry.  I recently found a prehistoric horse tooth so I'm all amped up for fossils!  Was hoping for skin or scales!  Appreciate the feedback.