1. Fossils
and the
Fossil Record

2. Fossil – any trace of an organism preserved in rock.
Some Important Facts About Fossils:
-Range in size from gigantic to microscopic and can be partial or whole remains
-Most are found within sedimentary rock formations and are created when minerals actually replace the remains of an organism
-Some specimens are quite common while others are extremely rare (Many are yet to be discovered!)
-A person who studies fossils is called a Paleontologist

3. Scientists obtain a great deal of information from fossils:
The Fossil Record serves as a “history book” of sorts for our planet dating back as far as 3.5 billion years!
Scientists learn all about the many species that once existed on our planet. This also allows them to create a timeline that accurately dates these organisms with relationship to each other as well as to the story of our entire planet.
Scientists know how old fossils are by where they find them. In a sedimentary rock formation, the fossils found in the lowest layers are the oldest. Through this, they can see what species co-existed, even when each became extinct.

4. Fossil evidence (used along side geological knowledge) has helped solve many pre-historic mysteries!
Sedimentary Rock formation spanning millions of years
No Dinosaur Fossils!
“K-T” BOUNDARY
65 Million Years Ago
All Kinds Of Dinosaur Fossils!
When scientists studied this layer (which seemed to be the border of the worldwide extinction of dinosaurs on our planet) they found out some interesting things….
First they found a huge amount of Iridium – an element normally found only in tiny amounts on Earth’s surface. However, Iridium is known to be a primary ingredient in Asteroids. Also, “shocked” quartz was present in this layer -something that only happens during major impact events such as a nuclear explosions, or………

5. Now, it is perfectly clear to scientists that mass extinctions were (and still can be) triggered by large meteor impacts….. One of many facts brought to us by the Fossil Record!
Other recent findings, such as this archaeopteryx fossil, have helped evolutionary scientists establish the “missing links” between species. This represents the relationship and transition between lizards and birds during earth’s biological history