Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient living organisms, such as plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. They are formed through a process called fossilization.
The buried remains of non-living objects are simply called artifacts, if they are human-made, or natural objects, if they are not.
Here's a breakdown:
* Fossils: Preserved remains of living organisms. Examples: dinosaur bones, trilobite shells, fossilized leaves.
* Artifacts: Human-made objects found buried in the earth. Examples: pottery shards, tools, weapons.
* Natural objects: Non-living things found buried in the earth. Examples: rocks, minerals, petrified wood.
