Fossils

by Raham, Gary

• ISBN13: 9780791097038
• ISBN10: 079109703X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Fossils such as a sea monster's bones weathering from limestone, a serrated T. rex tooth the size of a banana, and a tiny trilobite staring back with calcite eyes provide the only tangible evidence of creatures long vanished from our planet. Fossils shows how our understanding of these remains has evolved over time and how scientists interpret fossils as they try to resurrect lost worlds. Fledgling palcontologists will learn how professionals collect and display fossils as well as how fossils are used to tell geological time and reveal Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. The book concludes by surveying the variety of fossil links in the development of our own species

Author Biography

Award-winning author and illustrator Gary Roham has written more than a dozen books of science and science fiction for adults and children, as well as hundreds of nature articles. He has contributed to Highlights for Children, Cricket, and Discovery Channel Books and is the author of the science fiction book the Deep Time Diaries. A former science teacher, Raham also works with the Western Interior Paleontological Society, a volunteer organization

Table of Contents

Fossils: From Natural Curiosities to Scientific Treasures	p. 7
The Tortuous Road to Fossilhood	p. 22
So Many Fossils, So Little Time	p. 38
Marking Turning Points in Evolution	p. 50
Finding and Excavating Fossils	p. 66
Fossils in the Human Family	p. 78
Glossary	p. 91
Bibliography	p. 97
Further Reading	p. 101
Picture Credits	p. 104
Index	p. 105
About the Author	p. 111
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Whether a sea monster's bones weathering from limestone, a serratedT. rextooth the size of a banana, or a tiny trilobite staring back with calcite eyes, fossils provide the only tangible evidence of creatures long vanished from our planet.Fossilsshows how our understanding of these remains has evolved over time and how fossils are interpreted to resurrect lost worlds. Fledgling paleontologists will learn how professionals collect and display fossils as well as how fossils are used to tell geological time and reveal Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. The book concludes by surveying the variety of once-missing fossil links in the development of our own species.

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Excerpted from Fossils by Anne Janette Johnson, Gary Raham
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.