fossilises
Turns to rock
Fossilises is the British spelling of fossilizes, the third-person singular form of fossilize.
To fossilize is to become or turn into a fossil—organic remains preserved in rock over geological time: The skeleton fossilised in the riverbed sediment.
Figuratively, something fossilises when it becomes rigid, outdated, or resistant to change: Without new ideas, the institution fossilises.
Convert to inorganic matter
- lithifyConvert to stone
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- silicifyReplace with quartz
- hardenMake or become firm
solidify · crystallize · stone · sediment · limestone · carbonization · imprint · trace
Convert to calcium tissue
- rigidifyMake firm, unyielding
- stagnateCease to develop
- unchangingNot varying at all
- outdatedNo longer in use
antiquated · archaic · obsolete · entrenched · inflexible · static · fixed · calcified
Before documented civilization
- dinosaursExtinct prehistoric reptiles
- trilobitesExtinct marine arthropods
- ammonitesExtinct coiled-shell cephalopods
- mastodonsExtinct elephant-like mammals
mammoth · megafauna · Neanderthal · brachiopods · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Jurassic · Cambrian
Act of unearthing
- digUnearth by shoveling
- siteDesignated location
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
carbon-dating · unearthing · quarry · outcrop · formation · sedimentary · shale · sandstone
mineralize
Convert to inorganic matter
- lithifyConvert to stone
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- silicifyReplace with quartz
harden · solidify · crystallize · stone · sediment · limestone · carbonization · imprint · trace · mold
ossify
Convert to calcium tissue
- rigidifyMake firm, unyielding
- stagnateCease to develop
- unchangingNot varying at all
outdated · antiquated · archaic · obsolete · entrenched · inflexible · static · fixed · calcified · hidebound
prehistoric
Before documented civilization
- dinosaursExtinct prehistoric reptiles
- trilobitesExtinct marine arthropods
- ammonitesExtinct coiled-shell cephalopods
mastodons · mammoth · megafauna · Neanderthal · brachiopods · Paleozoic · Mesozoic · Jurassic · Cambrian · Cretaceous
excavation
Act of unearthing
- digUnearth by shoveling
- siteDesignated location
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
paleontology · carbon-dating · unearthing · quarry · outcrop · formation · sedimentary · shale · sandstone · matrix
amber
Hardened ancient tree secretion
mummification · dehydration · stasis · resin · ice · bog · anaerobic · intact · pristine · undecayed
fossilisesdecays
Deteriorates over time
decomposes · rots · putrefies · biodegrades · disintegrates
fossilisesevolves
Changes gradually over time
adapts · modernises · transforms · innovates · progresses