Fossil
화석
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="fossil"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms found in sedimentary rock, amber, or other geological deposits.
Detailed Explanation
Fossilization is rare — the vast majority of organisms are decomposed without leaving traces, so the fossil record underrepresents soft-bodied, small, or rare organisms. Fossils range from microscopic bacterial mats 3.5 billion years old to spectacularly preserved Cambrian soft-tissue assemblages like the Burgess Shale. They provide direct evidence for evolution, calibrate molecular clocks, and reveal ancient ecological communities. Ancient DNA from permafrost specimens is extending paleontological understanding.