TRUE FOSSILS & MINERALS

Fossils are the remains of ancient life. These remains can be from virtually anything that ever lived- bacteria, plants, dinosaurs or humans just to name a few. Fossils can be mineralized remains of actual living things such as bones or teeth or can even be just impressions in rock. Dinosaur tracks and plant leaf impressions fall into this category and are known as trace fossils.

Since fossils were formed in the ground and under water, they are most commonly found where wind or water erode them from the ground. River bottoms, beaches, deserts, cliff faces or hillsides are just some of the many places fossils can be exposed. They are also commonly found during excavation projects such as construction, dredging or mining.