A fossil is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved in amber etc.

Fossils have been found on every continent in the world. The largest fossil ever discovered is a petrified tree found in Thailand. The tree was more than 237 feet (72 meters) long, and was probably much taller when it was still living!

In 1822, Mary Ann Mantell, who was married to geologist Gideon Mantell, discovered fossilized bones while on a walk in Sussex, England. Further examination found that they looked similar to an iguana skeleton, so the "fossil reptile" was aptly namedIguanodon.

The word fossil is derived from the Latin fossilis meaning 'unearthed'. Preserved evidence of the body parts of ancient animals, plants and other life forms are called 'body fossils'. 'Trace fossils' are the evidence left by organisms in sediment, such as footprints, burrows and plant roots.

Thank you for reading!

Amb.Chabala Ken Chisenga