3.1.2

Fossils

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Fossils

Fossils are traces of ancient plants and animals that can be found in rock.

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Forming fossils

  • Fossils are formed over a long time.
    • Fossils were formed when animal bodies or pieces of plants turned to rock or were replaced by rock.
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How fossils are made

  • The plant or animal dies.
  • The body of the dead plant or animal is covered with sediment.
  • The soft part of the body decomposes.
  • The shell or bones of the animal are left behind.
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How fossils are made 2

  • The body is washed away over time.
  • This leaves the shape of the plant or animal as a hole inside the rock.
  • Different rock fills the hole and is in the shape of the plant or animal.
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Where to find fossils

  • We usually have to dig to find fossils because they are buried in the rock.
  • Sometimes fossils are exposed (we can see them) by cliff falls and on the beach where water has eroded the rock.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3: Plants

2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)

3Year 3: Rocks

3.1Rocks on Earth

4Year 3: Light

5Year 3: Forces & Magnets

6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats

7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans

8Year 4: States of Matter

9Year 4: Sound

10Year 4: Electricity

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