Search for fossils

The first thing that comes to mind when people think of fossils is dinosaurs. This is closely related to the large amount of scientific research and scientific popularization of dinosaurs, but also to the fact that dinosaurs often exceed people's imagination and give people more "surprise" appearance. When kids see dinosaurs, they don't think tigers, lions or even elephants are so cool anymore. Dinosaurs are often symbols of strength. Most of the time, we see bone specimens, even toys. Dinosaurs are like "gods" in people's minds. In fact, "dinosaurs" are a large group, ranging from pterosaurs as small as tens of centimeters to Argentinosaurus as large as 60 meters long. The term "dinosaur" is like the term "fish," which includes thousands of species. But dinosaurs are still only a small part of the fossil population. So what exactly is a fossil? Do what? How did you find the fossil? Are fossils protected by law? Wait, the questions are outlined below.

Fossils are short for paleontological fossils, which refer to the remains and remains of organisms retained in rock strata after the death and burial of ancient organisms through special geological processes, as well as the organic remains after the decomposition of organisms (including biomarkers, ancient DNA fragments, etc.), collectively referred to as fossils. It is divided into solid fossils, relic fossils, cast fossils, chemical fossils, molecular fossils and other different preservation types. Usually we see solid fossils, vestigial fossils and cast fossils; The concept of chemical fossil and molecular fossil is only put forward in recent years. This paper mainly discusses solid fossils, vestigial fossils and cast fossils.

What can you do with paleontology? Scientists focus on two aspects of fossil research.

The first is the question of the origin of life. Fossils are important carriers to study the origin and evolution of life. Science and technology itself is the process of understanding and transforming nature. Man's search for his "ancestors" is relentless and passionate.

The second is for the study of other fields of geology. Biostratigraphy, for example, takes advantage of the irreversibility of paleontological evolution by treating the same species of fossils found in different strata as the same age, so that strata in different parts of the globe can be compared. Of course, there are many other means of modern stratigraphy, such as paleomagnetic, chemical stratigraphy, etc., but these must be compared under the condition of determining the starting point (because paleomagnetic changes, chemical composition changes, and sediment quality changes can be repeated). And paleontology often provides evidence of such an important starting point. Paleontology also provides important means and evidence for the restoration of paleogeography, paleoclimate and paleoclimate. Read history for proof. In the same way, studying geological history can discuss the future of the Earth. Because we humans live on this planet. Of course, with people's love for fossils, fossil patterns will be used in a variety of LOGO designs, the most famous is a Canadian outdoor brand with Archaeopteryx patterns as their logo.

How do you find fossils? This is one of the most interesting and vexing questions for paleontologists. The interesting thing is that fossils are important objects to study, the headache is that it is very difficult to get fossils. Either way, there's a trick to finding fossils. Early discoveries of fossils were mostly accidental, such as accidental discoveries in the process of mining and quarrying. There are also early aspects of folk medicine, for example, the teeth of ancient vertebrates are the "keel" used in Chinese medicine. Paleontologists will use folk information to further excavate fossils. Will question the first fossil discoverer, and then find the appropriate strata to work on. Fossils must be found in a certain stratum, but not necessarily in the same stratum will be found. Because fossil burial requires special conditions and special geological events to complete the long process of burial, dehydration, and fossilization. In a sense, there is a certain contingency. In the search for fossils, the discovery rate is also a problem. The discovery rate is related to both the discoverer and the fossil found. Paleontologists often find fossils quickly based on the "clues" of paleontology. Like a forensic expert judging evidence at a scene. And ordinary people may miss a lot of discovery opportunities. Under the same conditions, large fossils are easy to find, and small fossils are not easy to find. Therefore, to find fossils, we must know that this kind of fossil generally produces rock strata, and at the same time, we must have a good idea of the fossil, which will greatly improve the discovery of fossils.

With the deepening of people's understanding of fossils, people like fossils more and more, some people begin to collect and even trade fossils. Is there any national law on the protection of fossils? The answer is yes. China's paleontological fossils are relatively rich, complete species, a large number, especially in recent years found in Yunnan province Chengjiang biota fossils, Shandong Shanwang biota fossils, bird fossils in western Liaoning Province, as well as Henan Nanyang, Hubei Yunyang, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Erlianhot dinosaur eggs and dinosaur bones fossils, have extremely important scientific research value, become our country And the precious geological heritage of the world. In order to protect China's fossil resources, The State Council issued the "Regulations on the Protection of Paleontological Fossils" on September 5,2010, which came into force on January 1, 2011. The protection levels of various paleontological fossils are listed in detail. Generally speaking, the fossils of ancient vertebrates with high ornamental and scientific value and the named fossil specimens of paleontological models (the specimens referred to when the fossils were identified) are within the scope of protection. In short, protection is for lasting love, like it to protect it.