Scientific American Investigates Fossils

How did paleontologists learn what they know now about dinosaurs? By looking at fossils! Through looking at fossils, paleontologists can learn how big a dinosaur may have been or what they may have eaten. They can also learn if they usually moved in groups or alone just by looking at their tracks. Scientists can even guess at how they may have died! In this exploration of dinosaur bones, readers will delve into dinosaur fossils and learn how the experts investigate fossils.

Some of the most commonly found fossils belong to extinct sea creatures! Many fossils of extinct trilobites and ammonites have been found in places around the world. These Paleozoic-era Sea creatures allow scientists to discover a world before the most famous dinosaurs roamed. Through this book's investigation into the fossils of sea creatures, readers will learn how scientists interpret these early fossils. With photographs of the different fossils, readers will discover different sea creatures and learn what researchers believe the world may have looked like when they were alive.

Animals aren't the only fossils you can find! For scientists, plant fossils tell the story of what the prehistoric world may have looked like. Through these fossils, scientists have even discovered ferns that were around when the dinosaurs were! Readers will discover how plants they may know today have evolved from plants that came before and how a plant becomes a fossil in the first place. With photographs of real plant fossils, readers will get up-close to fossils they might not have seen before.

Insects are some of the most abundantly found animals in the world! Stranger still, many insects haven't changed much in thousands of years. How do we know? Scientists have found fossils of ancient bugs that look similar to our bugs today! Through Scientific American's look at the fossils of insects, readers will discover the history of insects. With photographs of some famous fossils, readers will find out which bugs haven't changed in thousands of years and how some have evolved.

While dinosaur bones and petrified plants might interest some young paleontologists, many want to know where humans came from! Through this up-close look at human fossils, readers will learn the history of some of the most famous human fossils. Then, through age-appropriate text exploring what we know about human prehistory, readers will learn how humans connect to other animals. With photographs bringing the details to life, and fact boxes adding more need-to-know information, readers will dive into the fascinating world of fossils.

Petrified forests can be found across the world and are a feat of natural science! When wood becomes petrified, minerals replace the plant material, and it hardens. What's left is a colorful remnant that looks something like the former tree. Through this adventure through petrified forests, readers will discover how different kinds of fossils are made. With beautiful full color photographs of these trees and approachable text, readers will deepen their understanding of how these strange fossils form.