1. How are fossils formed?
Fossils are formed when dead organisms (usually with hard shells and bones) are quickly buried by sediment in water or land. Over time, the sediment hardens and turns into rock, preserving the shape of the organism.
An ammonite fossil
2.What are the main types of fossils?
Fossils aren't just made from dead animals or plants they can be trace fossils. They can be made by things animals left behind for example Footprints, eggs and even their poo can be fossilized. These are called trace fossils and they give us clues about how animals lived and moved.
An imprinted fossil
3. What are Ammonites?
Ammonites are an extinct group of marine mollusks that lived millions of years ago. They had coiled shells and were related to modern-day squids and octopuses. Ammonites were very common in the oceans during the Mesozoic Era, and their fossils are often found in sedimentary rocks.
An Ammonite fossil
4. Where are fossils found?
We are very lucky to have fossils in our area. We can find them in the cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth. The fossils we find here are from the Jurassic period, which means they are around 200 million years old!