Fossil discoveries provide critical evidence about the history of life on Earth. They reveal how organisms have changed over time and help to reconstruct ancient environments. Notable fossil finds include ancient fish that illuminate early vertebrate evolution and transitional forms that bridge major evolutionary gaps.
- Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, often found in sedimentary rock.
- They document evolutionary changes and allow scientists to date different life forms in Earth’s history.
- Important fossil discoveries have been made on every continent, sometimes in spectacularly preserved sites known as lagerstätten.
- Among the most significant finds are those of ancient fish, which show early stages in vertebrate evolution, and transitional forms, which demonstrate evolutionary links between major groups.
- Studying fossils requires expertise in paleontology, comparative anatomy, geology, and sometimes molecular biology.
Fossil discoveries provide vital evidence for evolution and help reconstruct ancient environments.
Most fossils are found in sedimentary rock.
Crucial fossil discoveries include ancient fish and transitional forms.
A lagerstätte is a site with exceptionally well-preserved fossils.