Fossils

Fossils are the ‘remains’ of organisms from millions of

years ago, which are found in rocks.

They could be:

• The actual remains of an organism

that has not decayed.

• Mineralised forms of the harder parts

of an organism, such as bones.

• Traces of organisms such as footprints or burrows.

We can learn from fossils how much or how little different

organisms have changed as life developed on Earth.

Scientists can’t be sure how life began because:

• Many early forms of life were soft-bodied

so have left few traces behind.

• The conditions for forming fossils are rare.

• What traces that were left behind have

been destroyed by geological activity.

• We haven’t discovered all the fossils yet.

1. You lead a team of researchers who want to run an expedition to collect fossils. You
need to convince the university that the trip is worthwhile. Write a letter to the head of
department that explains what you might find on your expedition and why that would
be useful.


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 Fossils
2. You return from your trip and are giving a radio interview about your findings. A caller
asks you if you found any evidence of the first life on Earth. Explain to the caller why you
can’t be sure how life began.

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