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Get Ready to Dig
In this lesson students learn what fossils are and how they form. They
explore how fossilized bones are assembled to form skeletons. They also
learn that by studying fossils they can learn clues about the lives
of dinosaurs. Students can learn more when they understand the unique
conditions that must occur in order for a fossil to form. It is amazing
to realize that the fossilized neck bone of the Maiasaura was once part
of a living, breathing dinosaur millions of years ago.
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Fossils must be found and preserved quickly
before natural forces of erosion - wind, water and sun - destroy
them.
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By understanding how fossils form, students learn about the Cretaceous
Period and how a living dinosaur became a fossil. Visit The Children's
Museum Web site to learn how specific dinosaur fossils became part
of Dinosphere. Look at the Dino Institute Teacher Dig
to see Indiana teachers explore, dig and discover real dinosaur fossils.
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How do fossils form?
Only a small number of living plants and animals become fossils.
Most dead plants and animals are eaten by other animals. Some, however,
are shrouded in mud or sand. Those covered over many millions of years
ago hardened and turned to stone. More recently, wind, water and sun
have slowly eroded the rock, exposing the hidden fossilized remains.
Specific conditions are required for fossils to form. Plants and animals
in areas of mud, sand, ash or other sediments are most likely to become
fossilized. Once the plant or animal is buried and the sediment has
hardened, other factors play important roles in fossil formation - oxygen,
sunlight, microorganisms, permineralization and other geologic forces.
Even with millions of years to form, a fossil is still the result of
a rare and unique process.
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Where do people find fossils?
Fossils can be found the world over, but some of the best dinosaur
fossils are found in dry climates where the land has eroded to expose
sedimentary rock. Western North America is a great place to look. Many
dinosaur fossils (including Tyrannosaurus rex) have been found
there.
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At the 2003 Dino Institute Dig, teachers uncovered
dinosaur fossils at the Ruth Mason Quarry near Faith, S.D.
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Who digs fossils?
Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils and
ancient life. They need help from volunteers and students to excavate
or dig up fossils. In fact, one of the bestknown fossil sites is the
Ruth Mason Dinosaur Quarry in South Dakota. Ruth Mason picked up fossils
on her ranch when she was a girl, yet it took years to convince others
of her amazing discovery - a bone bed filled with thousands of fossilized
dinosaur bones! Many of the bones prepared in the Dinosphere Paleo
Prep Lab came from the Ruth Mason Quarry.
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