Science Common Sense

70 - How do scientists use fossils to learn about the past?

Scientists use fossils to learn about the past in several ways:

1. Age of Fossils: By studying the rocks where the fossils are found, scientists can determine how old they are. This helps them understand what the Earth was like at that time.

2. What Lived in the Past: Fossils show what plants and animals existed in the past, even if they're no longer alive today.

3. Environment and Climate: Fossils can also tell us about the environment and climate of the past. For example, finding fossilized coral might indicate that the area was once underwater.

4. How Life Evolved: By studying fossils in different time periods, scientists can understand how life on Earth has changed and evolved over time.

By putting all these clues together, scientists can create a better picture of what life was like in the past.