fossil

views updated

fossil The remains of a once-living organism, generally one that lived prior to the last glacial period; i.e., fossils are older than 10 000 years. They include skeletons, tracks, impressions, trails, borings, and casts. Fossils are usually found in hard rock, but not always: for example, small plants or parts (e.g. leaves and flowers) have been found preserved in amber of Tertiary age.

More From encyclopedia.com