A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived long ago. Fossils can be bones, shells, teeth, footprints, or even impressions left in sedimentary rock. They provide important clues about past life on Earth and the environments in which these organisms lived.

After 1.5 million years ago (extinction of Paranthropus), all fossils shown are human (genus Homo). After 11,500 years ago (11.5 ka, beginning of the Holocene), all fossils shown are Homo sapiens (anatomically modern humans), illustrating recent divergence in the formation of modern human sub-populations.

Identify fossils and explore the diversity and history of life on Earth. Fossil identification guides, free textbook about paleontology, 3D models, & more.

2025年1月31日 · Fossil, remnant, impression, or trace of an animal or plant of a past geologic age that has been preserved in Earth’s crust. The complex of data recorded in fossils worldwide—known as the fossil record—is the primary source of …

2018年7月25日 · They were uncovered thousands of years ago by early men with no way of understanding what they were seeing. Ancient men stumbled upon fossils just like we do today, and they had to do their best to figure out what in the world they were looking at.

2024年1月3日 · From skeletons to teeth, early human fossils have been found of more than 6,000 individuals. With the rapid pace of new discoveries every year, this impressive sample means that even though some early human species are only represented by one or a few fossils, others are represented by thousands of fossils.

Dinosaurs are among the most popular and iconic fossil organisms, and dinosaur bones and tracks are favorite attractions at several National Park Service units. Body and trace fossils of non-avian dinosaurs have been documented from at least 21 NPS areas.

2025年1月8日 · Woolly mammoths roamed much of the Northern Hemisphere and left an extensive fossil record. While their extinction is largely attributed to climate change and hunting pressures, recent discoveries of well-preserved specimens have fueled debates on whether pockets survived into historical times.

What are now mountains in Colorado and neighboring states were then extensive reefs teaming with prehistoric life. So, fossils can reveal information about extinct animals and the ancient habitats they inhabited. In rare instances, fossils directly reveal interactions between species, such as feeding relationships (see our Trophic Ecology ...

Paleontologists from many institutions have been delving into the rocks and fossils of the John Day Basin for more than 160 years to understand this history of life. In recognition of these fossil resources, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA) was established on October 8, 1975 and is administered by the National Park Service. Today ...