Fossilisation

/ˌfɒsɪlɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The British spelling of the process by which living things turn into fossils over geological time.

Etymology

From fossilise (British English) + -ation (Latin -atio). The -ation suffix indicates a process or state of being, as in 'creation' or 'formation'.

Kelly Says

Fossilisation is happening right now under your feet—a trilobite that died 300 million years ago is just you 300 million years from now, if the conditions are right. Every organism is potentially a time capsule waiting to happen!

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