Fossils present fascinating windows of life that existed millions of years ago. But what exactly unidentified plants and animals have to go through to become stone relics we find today?
Understanding fossilization takes us on a journey through time to see nature's ingenious means of preservation.
The Beginning: Burial and Preservation
The fossilization journey begins at the death of the organism and its rapid burial by sediment. Fast burial is crucial as it provides protection against scavengers, decay, and environmental causes. If such are absent, then the organic material will usually be subject to decomposition.
Some of the factors assisting in fossilization are:
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Very fast covering with sediment whether mud, sand, or volcanic ash
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Low oxygen condition slowing down decay
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Stable environment where it cannot be crushed or eroded
This will set the beginning of a really long process that will eventually lead to fossils.
Main Fossilization Processes Explained
Several processes do occur in nature to produce and save the fossils of living organisms.
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Permineralization: Minerals in groundwater seep into the pores of bones or wood, crystallizing and hardening the material, often preserving delicate details.
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Carbonization: Heat and pressure produce a thin carbon film by reduction of organic matter while preserving faint outlines of leaves or fish or insects.
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Amber Preservation: Small animals get trapped in sticky tree resin, which hardens into amber over millions of years, preserving them in lifelike detail.
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Molds and Casts: An organism may dissolve after burial, leaving behind a mold. These molds may fill with minerals to form casts that mimic the form and surface of the original.
A Step-by-Step Look: How a Fossil Forms
For better visualization of fossil formation, consider these steps.
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Death: A plant or animal dies in or close to a wet environment.
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Rapid Burial: The sediments quickly subdue the remains.
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Sediment Accumulation: Over time, layers accumulate, piling pressure.
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Mineral Infiltration: Groundwater deposits minerals into the remains.
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Replacement and Hardening: The organics get replaced or infused with minerals turning to stone.
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Erosion and Discovery: After millions of years, these fossils came to be exposed by erosion or excavation.
Fossils You Can Find Today
At Fossil Age Minerals, our collections exemplify some of the fossilization processes:
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The Trilobite fossils present various forms of exoskeletons morphologically preserved through mineral replacement.
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Fish Fossils might present carbonization-like air-impressions, with great detail in the scale patterns.
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Coprolites, being fossilized feces, offer clues to ancient diets and environments.
Explore these incredible specimens in our Trilobite Fossils and Fish Fossils collections.
Why Fossilization is Rare and Precious
Throughout Earth's history, there has always been an abundance of life. Still, they were rare occasions for any organism to get fossilized. For formations to take place, a big list of conditions had to be in perfect harmony, which, in itself, makes each fossil a precious window into the past.
Bringing Ancient History to Life
Knowing how fossils are formed might give us appreciation for the wonderful natural processes that preserve delicate remains as enduring pieces of Earth's history.
At Fossil Age Minerals, we passionately bring these phenomenal stories to life by offering genuine, well-preserved fossils.
Look into our new collections and take away your piece of ancient history.