In association with THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Be an eyewitness to how fossilized shells, bones, skulls, teeth, and plants paint a vivid picture of the dramatic and beautiful world that existed before modern man.

FOSSILS ARE THE REMAINS or evidence of animals or plants which have been preserved naturally. They range from the skeletons of huge dinosaurs to tiny plants and animals which can only be seen under a microscope. Most fossils are formed from the hard parts of animals and plants such as shells, bones, teeth, or wood. They may be virtually unchanged from the originals, or be mineral replacements. Animals and plants have also been preserved in peat, tar, ice, and amber, the resin of ancient trees. Eggs, foot prints, and burrows can be fossilized too. The study of fossils, called palaeontology shows us that life originated on Earth at least 3,500 million years ago.

Fossils-true and false

The making of rocks

Turning to stone

The changing world

Early palaeontology

Fossil folklore

Fossils of the future

Remarkable remains

Corals

Sea bed dwellers

Shells of all shapes

Intelligent molluscs

Animals in armour

Arms and spines

Fishes

Plants-the pioneers

Fossil fuels

Out of the water

On to the land

Sea-dragons

Fossil giants

Discovering dinosaurs

Winged wonders

Mammal variety

A world apart

Human fossils

Living fossils

Fossil hunting

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Identifying fossils

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Glossary

Index