Fossils 101 | National Geographic

What are Fossils?00:00:19

Fossils are the naturally preserved remnants or impressions of ancient organisms, hidden from sight like buried treasure. They whisper secrets and tell lost tales of the past, forming the fossil record that recounts life on Earth.

Categories of Fossils00:00:27

Fossils are broadly categorized into body fossils, which are the preserved remains of plants and animals, and trace fossils, which record animal behavior like footprints. Together, they form the primary account of Earth's history through stone.

Fossilization Without Alteration00:01:06

Some fossilization methods preserve the original form and texture of a specimen without altering it. Examples include organisms frozen, preserved in tar pits, or mummified. A special case is trapping insects in amber, where tree sap forms a protective seal that hardens into a biologically inert tomb, remarkably preserving soft tissues.

Fossilization With Alteration00:01:59

Other fossilization methods change the specimen during preservation. Carbonization transforms soft tissues into thin black films of carbon, creating materials like coal. Permineralization, a very common type, occurs when minerals from water enter the pores of organic material, hardening it into stone and preserving its original structure.

Information from Fossils00:02:57

Fossils provide crucial information about ancient organisms. Permineralized wood can reveal the genus and species of trees, while insects in amber have yielded genetic material. Footprints from ancient hominids paint a picture of early human ancestor life, making the planet's ancient past clearer and shaping our understanding of today's world.