1. Fossils

2. What exactly is a fossil?
A fossil is
the remains
of a plant or
animal that
has been
preserved in
rock.

3. Are fossils the real bones and
shells of dead animals??
No, almost never.
Usually, over a
long period of
time, the plant or
animal absorbs
minerals from the
rock around it and
this makes it turn
hard and
preserves it.

4. So, are fossils rocks that
are moulded like bones?
Actually, a
fossil can be a
footprint, ani
mal dung, a
piece of
plant, or
animal bone –
all kinds of

5. Are there fossils in the earth of
all of the animals that ever lived?
It is very rare for
things to get
fossilised because
they have to be in
the right place at
the right time and
be totally and
quickly buried
under materials
like sand, ice or
volcanic material.

6. What happens to the skin or other
soft parts of the animal or plant?
Usually only the
hardest part of the
living thing
remains, like the
shell or a bone. But
sometimes the whole
creature or skeleton
is preserved.

7. How old are fossils?
Some of the
oldest
fossils ever
found are
4.5
BILLION
years old!

8. Where would you find the
oldest fossils?
Usually, the
deeper you dig,
the older the
fossil, but not
always.
Sometimes rivers,
rain and wind
erode the earth,
and a really old
fossil will be found
on top.