Fossils

Fossils

What are fossils? Fossils are the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago. You may find the fossilised shell or bones of an animal that's been preserved, or the shape of an animal or plant that rotted away. You can also see marks, like footprints, left by animals. These are called trace fossils. Sometimes you may find insects trapped in amber 一 Q liquid from trees that has gone hard over time.

People who study fossils are called palaeontologists. When they discover a fossil, they try to find out all about it. They write down where it was found and what rock it was in. Once they know what kind of fossil it is, it's stored in a museum.

How are fossils made? An animal such as a dinosaur dies. Its soft insides get eaten by other animals. Its bones are quickly covered with thick layers of mud.

Over a long time the mud gets squashed and it hardens into rock. The bones are preserved in the rock. Millions of years later someone finds the fossil dinosaur bones in the rock.

Where can you find fossils? Fossils are found all over the world. If you'd like to go fossil hunting, the seaside is a good place to look. Waves crash against the cliffs and wash bits of rock away, showing the fossils hidden inside.