fossilization process

Fossilization is the process where organic remains, like plants or animals, turn into fossils over time. Typically, after an organism dies, it gets buried quickly by sediment, protecting it from decay and scavengers. Over thousands to millions of years, minerals from surrounding sediments seep into the remains, gradually replacing organic material or filling in empty spaces. This mineralization preserves the structure in stone, creating a fossil. The process depends on conditions like rapid burial, presence of mineral-rich water, and low oxygen, which slow decay and allow for the long-term preservation of ancient life.