PaleontologyPaleontologyor ‘Study of Fossils’or ‘Study of Fossils’
Historical perspectives Historical perspectives on Fossilson Fossils
&&
How to become a fossil How to become a fossil without really tryingwithout really trying
Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci(1452-1519)(1452-1519)
Leonardo sketched fossils and recognizedthem as the remains of ancient life.
FossilsFossils
Remains or traces of ancient lifeRemains or traces of ancient life
Bones, Teeth, Shells, Tracks, TrailsBones, Teeth, Shells, Tracks, Trails
Soft tissues – rareSoft tissues – rare
?-How does an organism ?-How does an organism become a fossil?become a fossil?
Rapid burial is Rapid burial is essentialessential
Protection from Protection from scavengers, scavengers, decomposers, decomposers, physical deteriorationphysical deterioration
What helps? How do we re-What helps? How do we re-build human form?build human form?
Hard or durable Hard or durable tissues, such as:tissues, such as:
ShellsShells
BonesBones
TeethTeeth
ExoskeletonExoskeleton
Woody tissueWoody tissue
bonesbones
woody stemswoody stemsshellsshells
Most fossils Most fossils are formed are formed from the hard from the hard parts of parts of organisms. organisms.
?-What conditions favor ?-What conditions favor preservation?preservation?
Rapid burial is most likely in oceanRapid burial is most likely in ocean
Sea creatures with shells are fairly easy to Sea creatures with shells are fairly easy to preservepreserve
Conclusion: Marine organisms with hard Conclusion: Marine organisms with hard parts are most likely to become fossilsparts are most likely to become fossils
Types of PreservationTypes of Preservation
Original shell, bone or teethOriginal shell, bone or teethMolds and CastsMolds and CastsTrace fossils: burrows, tracks, trailsTrace fossils: burrows, tracks, trailsSoft TissuesSoft Tissues– Carbon filmCarbon film– AmberAmber– Mummified ?-Mummified ?-What does mummification have What does mummification have
to do with fossils?to do with fossils?– FrozenFrozen
Fossils can also form when Fossils can also form when organisms are preserved in organisms are preserved in resins.resins.
Tracks of organisms can be Tracks of organisms can be preserved.preserved.
Where Fossils OccurWhere Fossils OccurAlmost Exclusively in Sedimentary RocksAlmost Exclusively in Sedimentary Rocks
Heat of Melting or Metamorphism Would Heat of Melting or Metamorphism Would Destroy Almost Every Type of Fossil Destroy Almost Every Type of Fossil
Rare Exceptions: Rare Exceptions: – Some Fossils in Low-grade Metamorphic RocksSome Fossils in Low-grade Metamorphic Rocks– Trees Buried by Lava Flow Trees Buried by Lava Flow
To Be Preserved, Organisms Have to Be:To Be Preserved, Organisms Have to Be:
Buried Rapidly After Death Buried Rapidly After Death
Preserved From Decay Preserved From Decay
Ripple Marks, Bay BeachRipple Marks, Bay Beach
Fossil Ripple Marks, Baraboo Fossil Ripple Marks, Baraboo RangeRange
?-What would this observation ?-What would this observation tell a scientist?tell a scientist?
Fossil
Current
Modern Mud CracksModern Mud Cracks
Fossil Mud Cracks, VirginiaFossil Mud Cracks, Virginia
?-What would this observation ?-What would this observation tell a scientist?tell a scientist?
CurrentFossil
Original Hard MaterialOriginal Hard Material
Altered Hard TissueAltered Hard Tissue
Molds and CastsMolds and Casts?-Explain how this happened.?-Explain how this happened.
Carbon FilmCarbon Film
AmberAmber?-Explain how this happened.?-Explain how this happened.
Impression and Carbon filmImpression and Carbon film
?-Explain how this happened.?-Explain how this happened.
Carbon Film - PlantsCarbon Film - Plants?-Explain what this is. ?-Explain what this is.
?-Is it soft tissue or hard tissue and why??-Is it soft tissue or hard tissue and why?
Define: Define: SuperpositionSuperposition::
Mindoro Cut, Mindoro Cut, WisconsinWisconsin
Dating TechniqueDating Technique
?-Why/how do ?-Why/how do we usewe useFossils?Fossils??-What do they ?-What do they tell us?tell us?
History of Life on EarthHistory of Life on Earth
Evolution – appearances of new speciesEvolution – appearances of new species
Extinction – disappearances of speciesExtinction – disappearances of species
Guide in exploring for fossil fuelsGuide in exploring for fossil fuels
Commonly Preserved:Commonly Preserved:
Hard Parts of Organisms:Hard Parts of Organisms:
Bones Bones
Shells Shells
Hard Parts of Insects Hard Parts of Insects
Woody Material Woody Material
Rarely PreservedRarely Preserved
Soft or Easily Decayed Parts of Soft or Easily Decayed Parts of Organisms:Organisms:
Internal Organs Internal Organs
Skin Skin
Hair Hair
FeathersFeathers
Dinosaur Dinosaur Tracks, Tracks, TexasTexas
?-This is ?-This is called called what?what?
Fossil Tree in Lava Flow, Fossil Tree in Lava Flow, HawaiiHawaii