1D)

The partial burial of smaller bones can occur through various natural processes such as

sedimentation, soil deposition, animal activity, vegetation accumulation, and human actions such

as construction or excavation. Various natural processes and environmental factors contribute to

their partial burial.

1E)

By excavating large volumes of rock over a wide area, vertebrate paleontologists can gather

more data, reconstruct complete skeletons, study the taphonomic processes, determine the

stratigraphic context.

Also, fossils are rare and often scattered, so vertebrate paleontologists often excavate large

volumes of rock over a wide area to increase their chances of finding complete and well-

preserved fossils.

2A) Indicate on the following diagram if the fossils in E are external molds, internal molds, or

casts

A) The lower one preserves the external structure of the tree, as they are sediments deposited on

the outside of the tree. Therefore this is an external mold.

The higher one-shape like a tree is deposited inside the void created by the decay of the tree. This

void does not preserve the internal structure of the tree, which was originally solid. Therefore,

this is a cast.

2B)

Lower Object- External Mold

The lower object with a hollow in it preserves the external structure of the shell and is an
external mold.

Upper object-Internal Mold

The upper object was formed inside the shell when sediments were deposited inside the
organism. This object preserves the internal characteristics of the organism and is thus an internal
mold.

LAB 6: FOSSIL PRESERVATION UNKNOWNS

1. Petrifaction.

2. Internal mold.

3. Replacement.

4.Charcoalification
5.Carbonization
6.Trace fossils
7. Permineralization
8.Carbonization
9. Permineralization
10.Trace fossils

YOUTUBE VIDEO QUESTIONS

A. What are some of the details paleontologists can see in these amber specimens that
would not usually be preserved in body fossils?

1) Bird’s heads
2) Dinosaur’s tail
B. Do scientists expect to be able to get DNA out of these amber fossils, like in the movie
"Jurassic Park"? Why or why not?
 They expect to get proteins extracts in the future, and in these proteins it is probable that
they can get DNA sequences.

C. Why was the ammonite fossilized in amber scientifically significant? In other words,
what new thing did it reveal about organisms and their environment?
It allowed realize that the Buarmese Rainforest Environment was located near the coast
region.
D. Name one of the reasons some paleontologists question whether it is right to study the
fossils from Myanmar. What is your opinion of this ethical issue?
The lack of control by the state government means that there is no legislation guiding the
mining of amber. Free and unrestricted mining translates to a "free-for-all" situation,
which could lead to wars in the region.