Fossils

Fossils are the preserved remains, or traces, of plants, animals, and other organisms from the past that are buried in the Earth's surface. Fossils provide us with an invaluable window into the history of life on Earth, enabling us to understand how ancient species evolved and interacted with their environment. Fossils are used to help us date rocks and to understand past climates, ecosystems, and the distributions of prehistoric species. In addition, fossils can offer insights into the genetic makeup of species over time. While fossils are not commonly used to develop new medicines or technologies, they are essential to understanding the history of life.