Description of Fossil Records
Fossil records are chronologically ordered histories of the development, or evolution, of life on Earth. These records are substantiated by fossil remains and the scientific study of these remains. (References 1 and 2)
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Fossils
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Organisms that lived long ago sometimes leave behind physical evidence. These could be in the form of skeletons or entire organisms. These finds are called fossils. (Reference 1)
Evolution
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Organisms that have changed over time are said to have evolved. If an organism's DNA changes, this causes a mutation. Sometimes these mutations are actually improvements and become permanent. (Reference 1)
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Out of the Oceans
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The fossil record not only shows that life began in the sea, but that these sea creatures eventually colonized the land. Proof of the transition was discovered in 1998 when a fossil fin with hand like skeletal features dating back 370 million years was added to the fossil record. (Reference 2)
Mammalian Ancestors
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Based on ear bone fossils of cynodonts, scientists believe these reptiles were the ancestors of mammals. The fossil record shows that the cynodonts died off when the mammals appeared, roughly 230 million years ago. (Reference 2)
Ever Changing
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Archaeopteryx, dated at 145 million years ago was the first dinosaur fossil found with feathers. Since that pivotal find other feathered fossils have been found that date either before or after Archaeopteryx. This is an example of how the fossil record is ever changing and will never be complete. (Reference 3)
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Olga Pavlovsky
