Fossils

Fossil, from the Latin root fossilis ('dug up') means any excavated object; but since the early 18^th century, it has meant the remains (or impression) of a once-living organism, either of animal or plant, now preserved.

The following section covers:

• An overview of the historical views of stone organic forms, from myths through to more recent science
• A description of the study of fossils, and why we do it
• A 'scrapbook' of images of fossils that may be found at Portsdown
• A section on some of the classes of fossils found in the Chalk

Please use the navigation buttons on the left, or begin by reading about the earliest ideas.

For any comments, suggestions or contributions, please e-mail me at: portsdown@bbm.me.uk