How Were Fossils Made?
Background Fossils are pieces of physical evidence of any form of life that has existed on earth during its history. There are a number of ways to classify fossils, but the simplest method is the one put forth in the book “Bones Rock!” by Peter Larson and Kristin Donnan. They break fossils into two general categories or types: Type 1 fossils are the physical remains of animals and plants and can include shells, teeth, bones, hair or impressions of any of them; the type 2 variety are commonly referred to as trace fossils, which were were created by a plant or animal but are not their actual remains, such as preserved feces or a footprint or track. Fossils can be formed in a variety of ways, but the most common process is called permineralization. Permineralization The process of permineralization is comprised of three major steps. First, a plant or animal must perish in or close to water. If it occurs in close proximity to water, the plant or animal must fall or slide into it soon after
