fossils …old dead stuff… how old is old?

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