6 Fun Facts About Fossils That Bring Prehistorical Times to Life

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Fossils are one of the many artifacts throughout history that give us a glimpse into the past. And fossils from prehistoric times are incredibly interesting. So, what are some fun facts about fossils that will shock and surprise you? Seeing lasting marks from prehistoric times shows us the evolution of life, and these are the most interesting fun facts about fossils that you need to learn.

6. Uncovering Fossils

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It’s well-known that uncovering fossils takes a long time and needs a delicate hand to do so. But sometimes fossils can be found by everyday people by accident. For instance, in 2011, a construction worker found the skeleton of a 110-million-year-old dinosaur at a work site in Alberta, Canada. The Borealopelta was a victim of what some experts call “bloat and float”, which causes it to bloat with gases, floating through water until it eventually sinks.

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5. The Bone Wars

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Discoveries always cause chaos. And fossils are no different. One of the more interesting fun facts about fossils is that they actually launched the Bone Wars, which took place in the 19th century. Many paleontologists were rushing to identify and name a bunch of dinosaur species, which in turn caused a debate over the differences between the Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus.

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4. Fossils in Space

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Fossils aren’t just on Earth, though. While there are an abundance of fossils and pieces to study here, there are fossils in space, especially on Mars. In 1996, a team of NASA scientists announced they had discovered evidence for microscopic fossil life in a meteorite from Mars.

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3. Human Fossils

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Fossils are not just focused on plants and animals. Did you know that there are actually human fossil remains as well? There have been more than 6,000 individuals discovered. One of the most famous of these examples is Lucy, named after a Beatles song, discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia. While not the oldest hominin discovered, Lucy is the most popular.

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2. Feathered Fossils

Sinosauropteryx Britannaca
Britannaca

Not all dinosaurs look like what the media has portrayed. There are dinosaurs with unique traits that you might not have known about. One of the most interesting fun facts about fossils is that some fossils have turned up to indicate feathers on prehistoric creatures. Did you know that modern birds are living dinosaurs? In the mid-1900s, a Sinosauropteryx, a dinosaur fossil dating to the early Cretaceous Period, was revealed at a scientific conference.

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1. Fossilized Excrement

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Yes, you read the title right. Fossilized poop is actually another incredible way to learn about animals behavior and lifestyle. Also known as coprolite, this fossil is an important part of paleontology. But did you know that not only is it a vital part of learning about prehistoric times, but it’s also incredibly valuable? In 2014, a collector bought a 40-inch coprolite at an auction for over $10,000.

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