Fossils

What is a fossil Trilobite?

Trilobites are a unique group of creatures that evolved in the ancient seas long before the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Trilobites are the extinct relatives of the living insects, spiders, crabs, centipedes, and barnacles to mention a few. They first appeared at the beginning of the Cambrian Period about 570 million years ago; they became extinct 240 million years ago in the Permian Period. During their existence, trilobites flourished and diversified into many strange shapes and sizes. Paleontologists estimate that 10,000 species may have developed. Trilobites were also the earliest known creatures to possess vision. The name refers to the three longitudinal body lobes which characterize this interesting group of creatures.

What is a fossil Ammonite?

Ammonites are the fossil relatives of the living octopus, squid, and nautilus (Cephalopods) which became extinct, together with the dinosaurs, at the end of the Cretaceous Period about 65 million years ago. The shells of ammonites are among the most beautiful of fossils. Many are highly prized and collected for their irridescence and aesthetic design. Ammonites are important to the study of Paleontology in that they provide a reference for determining the age of certain sedimentary rocks and are often used in evolutionary studies. First called Ammon's stones, Ammonites have been noted by mankind since Biblical times. The Egyptians worshipped Ammon-Ra, god of the sun and his earthly symbol minio, the ram. Because the coiled shells of the ammonites resemble the curl of the ram's horn, they too were sacred. It wasn't until the late 1700's that it was generally accepted that the "stones" were the remains of once living organisms.

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