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What Are Fossils?
What Are Fossils?
Fossils are the the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
Prehistoric means relating to a a time before written records.
Below are some examples of other fossils.
What are the Types of fossils?
What are the Types of fossils?
True Fossil
True Fossil
A fossilized body piece of an organism.
Ex. bones, teeth, claws, etc.
Formed when soft tissues and hard parts did not decay over time.
Can be trapped in amber or sap.
Mold Fossil
Mold Fossil
A fossilized impression.
Feather, shells, roots, etc.
Formed when imprints are made in soft rocks, like shale or mud.
The rock hardens over time and cements the imprint.
Cast Fossil
Cast Fossil
Molds left behind by organisms are filled with a different type of sediment, separating rock from fossil.
Formed when organism is cemented in rock and then decomposes, allowing new sediment to fill in the mold left behind.
Trace Fossil
Trace Fossil
Fossilized remains of a trace of an organism, not the organism itself.
Footprints, nests, eggs, poop, etc
This happens when an organism makes an impression or ash covers and cements these traces into the record.
Watch this video for another in depth explanation of fossils!
Once you have completed these notes, please take the assigned quiz : Chapter 4 Quiz 1 - Types of Fossils
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