Fossilization Methods

Methods of Fossilization

• Original bone or shell material is dissolved and replaced with another mineral, known as replacement.
• Pyrite (fool's gold) and silica (quartz) are examples of minerals that replace original material.

Permineralization

• Water flows through pores and deposits minerals, common in bones.
• Also known as Method 4: Fill the void.

Petrifaction

• Combination of permineralization and replacement, common in wood.
• Also known as Method 6: Petrify it.

Recrystallization

• Change in crystal structure or size, example: unaltered mother of pearl iridescence vs. recrystallized shell (dull).

Carbonization

• Bury and squeeze out water and volatiles until only a film of carbon remains.
• Also known as Method 8: Leave a film.

Molds and Casts

• Mold: fossil impression in sediment, fossil removed through decomposition or dissolution.
• Cast: fill mold with sediment, remove mold, creating an exact replica of the fossil.
• Also known as Method 9: Imprints and filled imprints.

Dinosaur Discoveries in North America

• In 1858, Joseph Leidy described the first significant dinosaur remains in North America, Hadrosaurus foulkii.
• Leidy's reconstructions transformed the perception of dinosaurs from sluggish, bear-like creatures to terrifying beasts.

The Bone Wars (1877-1892)

• The period was marked by a rivalry between Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh, who ran competing camps in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
• Over 142 species of dinosaurs were discovered during this time.

Canadian Dinosaur Discoveries

• In 1871, the first written report of dinosaur bones in Alberta was made.
• In 1874, George Dawson discovered duck-billed dinosaur fragments along Milk River.
• In 1884, Joseph B. Tyrrell found the skull of the first meat-eating dinosaur in Canada.

International Expeditions

• Between 1907-1912, German expeditions explored Tanzania and Egypt.
• In the 1920s, the American Museum of Natural History's Central Asiatic expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews explored Mongolia.

The Era of Imperialistic Paleontology

• The period was marked by expeditions from North American and European institutions to explore and collect dinosaur fossils from around the world.

The Great Canadian Dinosaur Rush

• The rush was led by Barnum Brown (AMNH) and the Sternberg family (Charles, George, Charlie, and Levi), who worked for various institutions including the Geological Survey of Canada, British Museum, University of Alberta, and Royal Ontario Museum.