petrifactions
Organic matter mineralized
Petrifactions are things that have been turned to stone, or the process of such transformation.
Organic matter buried in mineral-rich conditions over long periods becomes petrified—wood replaced cell by cell with silica, bones with calcium carbonate.
The word extends figuratively to anything frozen in place or rendered immobile: The petrifactions of bureaucracy kept the project stalled for years.
Mineralized organic remains
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- specimensRepresentative items for examination
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
casts · molds · impressions · amber · preservation · excavation · strata · sedimentary
Conversion to mineral form
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
limestone · dolomite · shale · geode · stalactite · stalagmite · karst · tufa
Immense spans of time
- millenniaThousand-year periods
- epochsDistinct historical stretches
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
ancient · eras · ages · Mesozoic · Paleozoic · primordial · timeless · eternal
Resistance to penetration
- rigidityState of being unbending
- stonyRocky or emotionless
- immobilityLack of motion
- statuesqueTall, graceful, dignified
granite · marble · solid · unyielding · dense · cold · inanimate · monolithic
Loss of muscle function
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
horror · immobilized · stunned · transfixed · rooted · speechless · aghast · motionless
fossilized
Mineralized organic remains
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- specimensRepresentative items for examination
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
mineralization · casts · molds · impressions · amber · preservation · excavation · strata · sedimentary · calcified
mineralization
Conversion to mineral form
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
sedimentation · limestone · dolomite · shale · geode · stalactite · stalagmite · karst · tufa · agate
eons
Immense spans of time
prehistoric · ancient · eras · ages · Mesozoic · Paleozoic · primordial · timeless · eternal · permanence
hardness
Resistance to penetration
- rigidityState of being unbending
- stonyRocky or emotionless
- immobilityLack of motion
statuesque · granite · marble · solid · unyielding · dense · cold · inanimate · monolithic · rocky
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
dread · horror · immobilized · stunned · transfixed · rooted · speechless · aghast · motionless · rigid
petrifactionssoft tissue
Non-rigid body structures
flesh · organic matter · liquefactions · rotting flesh · pulp
petrifactionsdecomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
putrefaction · rot · decay · biodegradation · disintegration
petrifactionsliquefaction
Conversion to liquid state
dissolution · melting · softening · deliquescence · thawing