Fossils form when an organism dies, and is covered by sediments, moved by wind, water, or

other things. It is slowly buried deep underground, while the pressure from the surface turns the
sediments into sedimentary rock. There are four types of fossils, Molds, Mineralization,
Impressions, and fossils that are preserved with no mineralization. Most fossils will be found in
sedimentary rock, and in different layers depending on the age, however less then around 10% of
organisms will not become fossilized, because of: their body type, where they died, Erosion,
Melting, and being crushed or moved.

Fossil Record Stories:

1. Past Lives
a. Fossils can help us decipher how long certain organisms, lived, protected
themselves etc.
i. Growth rings help us tell age
ii. We can tell how organisms behaved because of their figure when they
were fossilized
iii. Depending on where fossils were found in comparison to each other, we
can infer how they lived socially
iv. Evolution may also be examined through fossils
2. Geologic Time
a. Fossils help us tell how old a rock is based off of which layer of rock they are
preserved in
b. Fossils also determine where something was a long time ago, or what lived there
such as plants
3. Paleoecology
a. Fossils help us determine what the climate was like, how ecosystems changed etc.
b. Fossils tell us about past environments, by their shape
4. Biodiversity
a. Biodiversity tells us about the variety of living things
i. Fossils help us see relations in organisms
1. Certain characteristics tell us that birds and Dinosaurs are related
ii. 99% of Earth’s species are extinct, coming from all habitats
Horse Evolution:

During the Eocene, many animals were beginning to evolve into larger bodies, many
species that you will see today first began to develop in this time period, however during the next
time period, the Oligocene, horses in Europe disappeared, while Rhinos started to become more
frequent. During the Miocene the planet underwent some climate changes such as becoming
dryer and cooler, expanding grasslands. Many animals adapted to this by a change in tooth
shape. Diversity peaked during this time. While the Pliocene Epoch occurred, ice caps became
present, and continental movements began to take place; the making of a land bridge encouraged
the movement and spreading of animals. The ​Equus ​began making appearances during this time
period. The Pleistocene was when the Ice Age took place, and when tar pits began to be more
frequent.

We are able to track the horses evolution and past through many fossils. Scientists record
the date and time of the fossil, placement, and in what rock layer they are found in to track what
came first and what is most present. Using this method we are able to see the slow but sure
evolution of horses.
By viewing more and more fossils, each different from the other, we are able to see the
cause of many deaths, and connect them to large world and climate changing events. We are able
to see what species are extinct, be location such as old tar pit zones and many more, especially in
comparison to where the climate was changing in certain locations.