Formation and discovery of fossils. Sequential artwork of the formation of a fossil, with the example shown here being the bird-like dinosaur Archaeop
Formation and discovery of fossils. Sequential artwork of the formation of a fossil, with the example shown here being the bird-like dinosaur Archaeopteryx. The process begins when the animal dies (far left) and the body ends up in a location where fossilisation is possible, here in sediments below water (centre left). The soft tissues decay, while minerals in the dinosaur's skeleton are gradually replaced by minerals from the mud. These minerals solidify into a form of stone or rock, preserving the shape and structure of the skeleton (centre right). The fossil may remain underground, or may eventually be exposed by erosion of the surrounding material (far right).
Size: 6845px × 3850px
Photo credit: © JOHN SIBBICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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