2. Petrified Wood
Wood turned into stone
From trees that existed over 225 million
years ago.
Trees are covered with sand
and mud. Water seeps in.
When wood dries minerals
soak into the wood and
replace the wood with stone.
3. Petrified Wood
Colors of the wood depend on minerals that
seeped in.
Colors of petrified wood include
yellow, black, red, white, black and sometimes
blue.
Often used in furniture making.
4. Amber
Natural Tree Resin (like sap from a tree)
Contains whole parts of insects
Internal organs are preserved
Preserve the animal so well that scientists
can get DNA samples from them (Remember
Jurassic Park?)
5. Amber
Most amber found today was formed about
30 – 50 million years ago
Formed because trees try to defend
themselves
Yellowish to dark blue
6. Ice
The best way to preserve ancient
materials.
Happens very rarely
Must be continually frozen from death to
when it is discovered.
Some that have been found: Wooly
Mammoth and
Wooly Rhinoceros.
7. Ice
Animals with flesh, skin, and hair
intact have been found.
Some of these finds suggest that
they were flash frozen, with food still
in the mouth and stomach.
8. Tar Pits
Most common tar pits are the Le Brea tar pits in
southern California.
Millions of years ago, Los Angeles was under
water.
Marine life settled to the bottom of
the ocean floor
Remains turned into fossil fuels
(gas, coal, and petroleum)
9. Tar Pits
Petroleum evaporated and left tar
What was left was asphalt (the black material
that roads are made out of): very sticky in warm
weather.
Animals became trapped—90% were
carnivores: Prey would become trapped and the
predator that went after them
would become trapped too.
