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Fossils Fossil Paleontology The remains or evidence of plants or animals that lived long ago. Paleontology The study of fossils
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Fossils…old dead stuff…
FossilsFossil
The remains or evidence of plants or animals that lived long ago.
PaleontologyThe study of fossils
FossilsWhy Study Fossils?
Indicators of past environment
Are Fossils reliable or biased indicators?
Animals with hard parts are more likely to be preserved
• Insects-- most common animal life form -- only 1% of fossils
• Some animals are mostly water - jellyfish
FossilizationPreservation
Mummification• Drying out (often in desert environments)
Freezing• In arctic regions or high altitude image
Trapping• Amber (tree sap) or Tar image
Petrification (turning to stone)• Minerals replace animal parts image
Trace FossilsImprints
Animal tracks, footprints, or burrows image
Plant part imprintsMolds
Empty space left by plant or animal partCasts
Mud, sand, or mineral fills mold and makes a cast• Coprolites -- Fossilized animal poop
GUIDE or INDEX fossils
• Widespread
• Abundant
• Short Geologic Range
Characteristics
FOSSILS IN SOUTHEAST
Aurora, NC – 20-40 MYODecaying bacteria and sea creatures –phosphate sand
COKE, food preservative
Siler City/Sanford areaTriassic period – great plant fossils
Seashells on the mountaintopCoral reefs of KY
Freezing and Mummification
Animal Trapping Amber Tar Pit
Dinosaur National Monument
Fossil Tracks
Animal Tracks