Fossils

What

• Preserved remains or traces of ancient living things

• Found in rocks

• Types:

  • Body fossils (bones, teeth, shells)

  • Trace fossils (footprints, burrows, nests)

  • Mold and cast fossils

  • Amber fossils

• Help us learn about Earth's past

Who

• Ancient plants

• Ancient animals

• Microorganisms

• Scientists called paleontologists study fossils

When

• Form over thousands to millions of years

• Most fossils are more than 10,000 years old

Where

• Sedimentary rocks

• Deserts

• Mountains

• Riverbeds

• Cliffs

Why

• Learn about extinct organisms

• Understand evolution

• Study ancient climates

• Know Earth's history

How

• Organism dies

• Quickly buried by mud or sand

• Soft parts decay

• Hard parts are replaced by minerals

• Rock forms around the fossil

• Erosion or digging reveals the fossil