Fossil Vocabulary

The remains of a plant or animal that has been hardened and preserved.

• fossil

• preserved

• mold

• cast

Scientists that study the fossil remains of plants and animals.

• scientists

• doctor

• paleontologists

• geologist

To save or protect

• save

• protect

• preserve

• keep

Sand, mud, or small rock

• stuff

• sediment

• materials for a sand castle

• stuff for a sandbox

Pressing against a surface and leaving a mark

• a bruise

• fossil

• cast

• imprint

an impression of an organism

• imprint

• cast

• mold

• fossil

3D impression left behind from a fossil mold

• mold

• cast

• imprint

• preserve

the fossilized remains of an ACTIVITY of that organism

• trace fossil

• cast

• mold

• path fossil

the fossilized remains of a plant or animal body or body part

• organism

• trace fossil

• bones

• true fossil

any living thing

• animal

• mammal

• organism

• fossil