What is Fossil? Fossils are traces or remains of living things from long ago. Fossils can be mineralized bones, teeth, shells, wood, or actual unaltered material from an organism, like frozen mammoth flesh, bones and fur.

Types of Fossils Fossils exist in many other forms. Most fossils are hardened animal remains such as shells, bones, and teeth.

Types of Fossils Mold- Hollow impression of a living things in rock after it. Cast- Solid mineral deposit that filled a mold, leaving a copy of the living thing. Imprint- An impression in rock made by a living thing during its life activities. Petrification- Plant or animal tissue replaced by minerals. Whole animal- An entire plant or animal encased and preserved in ice, sap, or another material

Photo of Fossils

Fossils Formation Conditions have to be just right for a fossil to form in rock. Trace of the organism must be preserved before it disappears. In common, the soft parts of an organism decay too quickly to be preserved in rock. Because of it, most of rock fossils reveal traces or shapes of only the hard parts of animals or plants.

Questions 1) What is fossil? 2) Tell least two types of fossil. 3) What is fossil formation?