fossil hunters

although many people think of paleontologists as dinosaur hunters, searching for dinosaur fossils is only one part of the job. paleontologists study the history of life on earth and fossils of all kings--from plants and cells to fish and saber tooth cats. dinosaurs are some of the most dramatic remains, but fossils of plants and animals from different points in time help scientists piece together a more plete picture of the history of life on our pla.

paleontology draws heavily on geology (the study of rocks) and biology (the study of life). an in-depth knowledge of rocks is important because rocks can provide needed rmation about the fossils they hold. rmation about layering of rocks and soil types can also be valuable. principles of biology e into play when paleontologists date and identify the specimens they find. imagine trying to put together the fossilized remains of an animal\'s skeleton. it would be like working on a puzzle without knowing what the finished picture looks like. the knowledge of other life forms gives paleontologists the background they need to form conclusions about prehistoric forms of life.

paleontology can be exciting work. think of finding the remains of plants and animals that have been buried for millions of years. picture the thrilling discovery of a new creature, or finding the missing piece in a mystery scientists have been trying to solve. while these are the more glamorous parts of the job, paleontology also requires a lot of painstaking work. paleontologists can dig for long periods of time with few finds. when they do find a fossil, recovering it is often slow. to keep from damaging the fossil, great care must be used in extracting it. working with precise tools and small brushes can help scientists remove and preserve the fossil.

field work isn\'t the only part of the job for paleontologists. they spend time in labs and offices, too. they analyze and study the discoveries they make. everything must be identified and cataloged for future reference. paleontologists also often write about their work, sharing it with other scientists and students.

although being a paleontologist takes years of school, anyone can try their hand at fossil hunting. all it takes is interest, a little knowledge, some basic tools, and of course, patience! experts advise the quarries, road cuts, and cliffs are good places to look for fossils. a masonry hammer, a small chisel, a screen (for sifting out dirt), and a soft bristled brush (for cleaning the dirt off your finds) are useful tools to bring on a fossil hunt.

experts also advise that you bring a small notebook to record rmation about any fossils you find. write the location as precisely as you can. try to also record details about the geology of the area. include the type of rocks above and below your find. if you can make a rough sketch or take a photo, too, take can also be helpful. chances are, any fossils you find will probably mostly be of personal interest. if you do happen to find a large fossil, however, you should contact a local museum or university. they can help retrieve it without damaging it.

fossil hunting can be exciting and interesting work for both professionals and amateurs. there is always room to add to the body of knowledge of what earth was like long before humans walked the pla. and the more we learn about out pla\'s past, the more we know about who we are and the role of living things on earth today.

單詞:

paleontology- n. 古生物學

quarry- n. 采石場 (quarries-覆數)

chisel- n. 鑿子

sift- v. 篩 (sifting-現在進行時)

□□- n./adj. 業余

問題:

1. why do you think it is important to bring a notebook on a fossil hunt and record rmation about you find in it

2. what are two other sciences that play a large role in paleontology

3. why do you think quarries, cliffs, and road cuts are good places to look for fossils

4. paleontologists work exclusively in the field. is this statement true or false

5. why does the author say that paleontology can be both exciting and painstaking work

6. how does knowledge of biology help make the process of assembling fossils easier