Paleontology or ‘Study of Fossils’ Historical perspectives on Fossils & How to become a fossil without really trying

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Leonardo sketched fossils and recognized them as the remains of ancient life.

Fossils Remains or traces of ancient life Bones, Teeth, Shells, Tracks, Trails Soft tissues – rare

?-How does an organism become a fossil? Rapid burial is essential Protection from scavengers, decomposers, physical deterioration

What helps? How do we re-build human form? Hard or durable tissues, such as: Shells Bones Teeth Exoskeleton Woody tissue

Most fossils are formed from the hard parts of organisms. bones Most fossils are formed from the hard parts of organisms. woody stems shells

?-What conditions favor preservation? Rapid burial is most likely in ocean Sea creatures with shells are fairly easy to preserve Conclusion: Marine organisms with hard parts are most likely to become fossils

Types of Preservation Original shell, bone or teeth Molds and Casts Trace fossils: burrows, tracks, trails Soft Tissues Carbon film Amber Mummified ?-What does mummification have to do with fossils? Frozen

Fossils can also form when organisms are preserved in resins. Tracks of organisms can be preserved.

Where Fossils Occur Almost Exclusively in Sedimentary Rocks Heat of Melting or Metamorphism Would Destroy Almost Every Type of Fossil Rare Exceptions: Some Fossils in Low-grade Metamorphic Rocks Trees Buried by Lava Flow To Be Preserved, Organisms Have to Be: Buried Rapidly After Death Preserved From Decay

Ripple Marks, Bay Beach

Fossil Ripple Marks, Baraboo Range

?-What would this observation tell a scientist? Current Fossil

Modern Mud Cracks

Fossil Mud Cracks, Virginia

?-What would this observation tell a scientist? Current Fossil

Original Hard Material

Altered Hard Tissue

Molds and Casts ?-Explain how this happened.

Carbon Film

Amber ?-Explain how this happened.

Impression and Carbon film ?-Explain how this happened.

Carbon Film - Plants ?-Explain what this is. ?-Is it soft tissue or hard tissue and why?

Define: Superposition: Mindoro Cut, Wisconsin

Dating Technique

?-Why/how do we use Fossils? ?-What do they tell us? History of Life on Earth Evolution – appearances of new species Extinction – disappearances of species Guide in exploring for fossil fuels

Commonly Preserved: Hard Parts of Organisms: Bones Shells Hard Parts of Insects Woody Material

Rarely Preserved Soft or Easily Decayed Parts of Organisms: Internal Organs Skin Hair Feathers

Dinosaur Tracks, Texas ?-This is called what?

Fossil Tree in Lava Flow, Hawaii