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Where do dinosaur bones come from?

Where do dinosaur bones come from?
Dinosaurs


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by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

Where do dinosaur bones come from?
 
Scientists have learned a lot about history through fossils, which are the naturally preserved remains (such as bones, footprints, teeth) of living organisms from a different time period! These remains are left behind when an animal passes away, and the fossils are usually found by people called "archaeologists" and "paleontologists" whose jobs are to dig them up!   

Many fossils come from "sedimentary rock," which is a type of rock that forms from the buildup of natural minerals that have been worn away from other rocks by forces like rain or wind. Over time, the deposits of these natural minerals layer and layer, and turn into one solid sedimentary rock as time and pressure removes the moisture between the little particles! As sedimentary rock forms, it can help to preserve and to hide a fossil among its layers! 

Geographically speaking, fossils can be found anywhere in the world. The fossils of certain creatures might be more likely to be found in some places rather than others, but because dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures lived all over the world, their bones and other remains can be found just about anywhere!

Fossils, like those from dinosaur bones, have helped us to learn lots of things about what Earth was like before we came along! By studying the shape of bones or footprints, scientists have been able to learn about what dinosaurs ate, how they walked, and where they lived! Neat!!




Palaeontology and Archaeology!

Aside from being good at digging, what do you think are some things that paleontologists and archaeologists would need to study and learn for their job?

For example, knowing about geology (which refers to types of rocks) would be very helpful! Knowing about the ways in which certain animals and other creatures have evolved would also be pretty helpful!

What are some other things you can think of? Have you ever thought about becoming an archaeologist or a paleontologist when you grow up??