Fossil Definition
A fossil is preserved remains or traces of ancient plant and animal life. For example, a dinosaur bone.
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The Fossil Record
Fun Facts
- Fossils can form in sediments that later harden into rock.
- Most fossils are the preserved evidence of prehistoric life, not the remains of the organism itself.
- Insects can be preserved by becoming trapped in amber.
Why Do We Need To Know About Fossil
Learning about fossils helps us know the history of life on Earth and shows us why this knowledge is important for some science jobs. Scientists, especially those called paleontologists, look at fossils to understand how living things changed over time. This helps us learn about how life used to be, the different animals and plants that exist now, and how the environment is changing.
Museums are important because they keep fossils safe and let both the public and scientists learn from them. If you’re interested in studying fossils or working in a museum, these could be good jobs for you. Looking for fossils in places like Utah is exciting because it involves going outside to find them and then studying them in a lab to learn the stories they tell about our planet.
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