Fossils

Fossils What is a fossil? Fossils are the remains of plants and animals from millions of years ago. The largest fossils were made by dinosaurs!

Fossils How are most fossils formed? Most fossils are formed through these steps: 1. an animal dies 2. the animals’ bones get buried by sand, dirt, or mud 3. minerals seep into the bones 4. they harden into rocks that look just like the bones

Fossils How are other fossils formed? Some insects or plants get trapped in amber, or hardened tree sap. An imprint fossil is the shape of a plant or animal left in hardened rock.

Fossils Who studies fossils? A paleontologist studies fossils and dinosaur bones. Paleontology is from the Greek root words: “ancient” (paleo), “being” (onto), “study” (logy)

Fossils What do fossils tell us about the past? Fossils give us clues about the history of the Earth. They can tell us the size or shape of plants and animals. Fossils can tell us what types of food animals ate or if they were able to fly.

Fossils What do fossils tell us about Earth’s landforms? Fossils tell us that the surface of the Earth has changed. For example, fish fossils were found under a mountain so we know that there used to be a body of water where the mountain now is.