fossilise
Become ancient rock
To fossilise is to become or cause to become a fossil—organic remains preserved in rock over geological time.
The process takes millions of years as minerals replace original tissue.
Figuratively, to fossilise is to become rigidly fixed or outdated: His thinking has fossilised.
Also spelled fossilize.
Convert to inorganic matter
- calcifyHite calcium deposits form
- lithifyConvert to stone
- solidifyMake or become hard
- ossifyConvert to calcium tissue
crystallize · cementation · harden · stone · imprint · cast · mold · replacement
Cease to develop
- ossifyConvert to calcium tissue
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- rigidUnable to bend
unchanging · stuck · outdated · inflexible · calcified · hidebound · static · entrenched
Act of unearthing
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- dig siteArchaeological excavation location
- specimenIndividual for examination
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
museum · skeleton · quarry · fieldwork · preparation · matrix · exposed · unearthed
Extinct Mesozoic reptile
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- mammothExtinct elephant with curved tusks
- pterosaurExtinct flying reptile
ichthyosaur · plesiosaur · dodo · sabre-toothed · megalodon · archaeopteryx · coelacanth · mass extinction
Hardened ancient tree secretion
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- tar pitNatural bitumen pool
- mummificationPreserving bodies after death
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
anoxic · encasement · impression · resin · peat bog · ice · asphalt · articulated
Dinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- CambrianEarliest Paleozoic period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
- CarboniferousCoal-depositing geological period
Permian · Triassic · Ordovician · Silurian · Precambrian · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Cenozoic
mineralize
Convert to inorganic matter
ossify · crystallize · cementation · harden · stone · imprint · cast · mold · replacement · recrystallization
stagnate
Cease to develop
- ossifyConvert to calcium tissue
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
rigid · unchanging · stuck · outdated · inflexible · calcified · hidebound · static · entrenched · archaic
excavation
Act of unearthing
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- dig siteArchaeological excavation location
- specimenIndividual for examination
reconstruction · museum · skeleton · quarry · fieldwork · preparation · matrix · exposed · unearthed · collection
dinosaur
Extinct Mesozoic reptile
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- mammothExtinct elephant with curved tusks
pterosaur · ichthyosaur · plesiosaur · dodo · sabre-toothed · megalodon · archaeopteryx · coelacanth · mass extinction · Neanderthal
amber
Hardened ancient tree secretion
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- tar pitNatural bitumen pool
- mummificationPreserving bodies after death
desiccation · anoxic · encasement · impression · resin · peat bog · ice · asphalt · articulated · intact
Jurassic
Dinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- CambrianEarliest Paleozoic period
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
Carboniferous · Permian · Triassic · Ordovician · Silurian · Precambrian · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Cenozoic · stratigraphy
fossilisedecay
Gradual organic breakdown
decompose · rot · putrefy · biodegrade · disintegrate
- fossilized bonesMineralized ancient skeletal material
- fossilized shellPreserved prehistoric exoskeleton
- fossilized remainsPreserved prehistoric organisms
- fossilized tracksPreserved prehistoric footprints
- fossilized woodMineralized ancient plant remains
fossilized, fossilize, fossilization, fossilised, fossilizing, fossilizes, fossilising, fossilises, fossilisation