Fossils

Just what are fossils and why are they so important? You might think that a fossil is just an animal or a plant that died inside a rock, but fossils are so much more! While it is true that fossils are the remains of animals and plants, we can learn so much from fossils. For instance, many fossils contain evidence of plants and animals that no longer exist on the Earth. Also, depending on what layer they are found in, we can make a hypothesis about why these animals and plants are no longer here. The kinds of fossils found in rocks are different because life on Earth has changed over time. Fossils are formed when an organism (a living thing) dies and the empty spaces in that organism fill with mineral-rich groundwater. This process takes many, many years.

Basically there are 2 types of fossils that exist, Body Fossils and Trace Fossils. Body Fossils include parts and remains of animals that were once alive. These are usually only the hard parts of animals, such as bones, teeth, and shells. Trace Fossils are more like footprints, trails, or imprints of animals rather than actual evidence of the animal or plant itself. The word fossil comes from the Latin word "fossilis", which means "dug up". Fossils are made over time after an organism dies and is usually buried by a natural process, such as sinking into the mud. Over time, more and more sediment covers the remains and it becomes pressed down, or impacted. After a long time, the remains are no longer made up of the same materials, but undergo a change and are more like rock.

This is an example of a Trace Fossil. You can see the footprints of a creature from long ago!

This is an example of a Body Fossil, where you can actually see the fossilized remains of an organism.

For more interesting information about fossils, please visit the site called:

"Fossils for Kids"