Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms. As such, they are a window to Earth's history- invaluable for understanding the evolution of life, climates of ancient times, and geological processes that shape our Earth. Let's journey through some of the most common fossils, from dinosaurs all the way down to trilobites.
Common Fossils: Small Treasures
While dinosaur bones will doubtless always exercise an imaginative hold on us, it is a travesty of history that most of the most common fossils are much smaller. Examples include:
Microfossils
These are very small, normally microscopic, tiny fossils that can be observed only in a microscope. They include bacteria, diatoms, and pollen grains. They are especially useful in recording the history of life on a microscopic scale.
Foraminifera
These unicellular organisms, which occur in great abundance in marine sediments, have shells of calcium carbonate and are thought to be one of the finest proxies for former ocean temperatures and conditions.
Trilobites
These extinct ancient marine arthropods occur in extremely large numbers during the Paleozoic Era, and hard exoskeletons are very common.
Most Complete Dinosaur Fossil: A Paleontological Gem
One of the most complete dinosaur fossils ever found is the skeleton of Sue. This almost completely excavated specimen of a Tyrannosaurus Rex was discovered in the state of South Dakota in the year 1990. Due to the exceptionally good condition in which Sue was preserved, scientists have been able to be quite ingenious in deciphering its anatomy and behavior and how it grew.
Popular Dinosaurs: Iconic Creatures of the Past
Dinosaurs are huge yet very interesting animals. Some of the most popular dinosaurs include:
Tyrannosaurus Rex
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is tagged as the "King of Tyrants" and probably one of the best-known dinosaurs in the family of reptiles. Large, powerful jaws and enormous size have made it an eternal symbol of prehistoric power.
Velociraptor
This is much shorter and more agile than the T. Rex, and is legendary for its guile and hunting ability. It has been popularized by the films about Jurassic Park and is almost a part of pop culture.
Stegosaurus
Characterized by rows of long sagittal plates that run along the sides of its body and the many spikes on its back that have long been the subject of mystery and debate amongst scientists as to what, in their original conception, they were intended for.
Brachiosaurus
Long neck, towering in height, it surely is a wonder to behold.
Fossil Hunting: The Adventure Pays Off
Do you have a desire to experience adventure and discover the secret world of fossils? Why not go fossil hunting or visit your closest museum? Who knows, you might find an unknown species with a little luck and patience.
Fossils are very rare but also priceless sources of information about Earth's history. It is always prudent and important to respect the laws and rules applicable in fossil collection and preservation.
Conclusion
The world of fossils is huge, and there are many opportunities for a person to come across something and dig into it. Knowledge of preserved remains shall be for the skilled fossil hunter or just out of curiosity about the past to find that a very unique experience of life on Earth exists. Through fossils, we understand what the past of our planet has been and its incredible wealth in biological diversity.