Explore the fascinating world of fossils, the preserved remains or traces of ancient life forms. From dinosaur bones to microscopic plants, fossils provide...
A fossil is the preserved remains, impression, or trace of a once-living organism from a past geological age, typically over 10,000 years old. This includes bones, shells, imprints, or even fossilized footprints.
Fossils typically form when an organism's remains are rapidly buried by sediment (like mud or sand), preventing decomposition. Over millions of years, minerals replace organic material, or the sediment hardens into rock, preserving the organism's shape or internal structure.
Most fossils are found in sedimentary rocks, which form from the accumulation and compaction of sediments. Common sites include ancient riverbeds, lakebeds, seafloors, and other areas where rapid burial occurred.
Fossils are crucial for understanding Earth's biological evolution, past climates, and ancient environments. They provide direct evidence of prehistoric life, helping scientists reconstruct ecosystems and trace the history of species over geological time.
The scientific study of fossils is called paleontology. Paleontologists analyze fossils to understand prehistoric life, evolution, and the geological history of Earth.