1. Any preserved trace left by a previously living organism.
FOSSILS
Any preserved trace left by a previously living organism.

2. FORMATION Buried by Decay prevented or slowed if buried quickly
Drifting sand
Mud deposited by rivers
Volcanic ash
Other members of a species (human)
Decay prevented or slowed if buried quickly

3. Formation
Soil
Wet, acid soil – minerals in bones are dissolved – no fossilisation
Wet, acid soil containing no oxygen (peat) complete preservation may occur
Alkaline soils produce best fossils
New minerals are deposited (petrified)

6. DISCOVERY Chance (erosion) Excavation
Area surveyed & marked in sections
Small hand tools used
Artefacts: Any objects made by humans e.g. weapons/tools
Photographed, labeled, catalogued

7. 10
This is a fossil of a fish which lived 40 million years ago
A fossil fish (Mioplosus labracoides) from the Eocene era (30 –50 million years ago. The fossil is obviously that of a fish, but the species is not represented among present day fish
A fossil fish (Mioplosus labracoides) from the Eocene era (30 –50 million years ago.The fossil is obviously that of a fish, but the species is not represented among present day fish
Fossil fish