Here's how it works:
* Permineralization: This is the most common way fossils are formed. After an organism dies, its remains are buried under sediment. Over time, groundwater carrying dissolved minerals seeps into the bones, teeth, or other hard parts. These minerals crystallize within the spaces of the organism, replacing the original organic material with rock. This process preserves the original shape and structure of the organism in stone.
There are other types of fossilization, like:
* Mold and Cast: An impression of the organism is formed in the sediment. If the impression is filled with minerals, it becomes a cast.
* Trace Fossils: These are not the organism itself, but evidence of their activities, like footprints, burrows, or even fossilized dung.
So, the process of minerals seeping into remains is a key part of how fossils are formed.
