Fossils

Fossil of a "bony fish" of the infraclass Teleostei

The word paleontology refers to the study of ancient life from the Greek words palaios (ancient) and logos (study). The word fossil comes from the Latin word fossilis (obtained by digging). Fossilisation occurs with the right circumstances: protection from scavengers and elements, and death in an optimal substrate such as sand, soil, mud, a river bed, or seabed. A sub-fossil is where decay, although slowed down, is still occurring and bone is still evident. A fossil is when chemicals and minerals percolate through the remains and recrystallizes it, or else erodes it leaving a hollow space. These remains that are dug up, from bones to teeth to skin, can be categorized by types. Trace fossils are evidence of animal behavior such as tracks, burrows, or coprolites. Mineralized fossils are when organic matter is replaced with minerals such as with bones, shells becoming pyrite or opal, or wood replaced with silica. An impression is when the creature decays but leaves an imprint in the sediment.

I was recently given a wonderful opportunity to photography, in detail, the newest fossil collection at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. While the next number of post will be looking at some of these unique fossils, I will additionally be doing more detailed posts on Google+ if you'd like to see fossils that may or may not appear on this blog.