Provides information on the history of the development of life on earth, details of the typical plants and animals of significant geological areas, and maps of areas where fossils can be found.
Unearth the treasures from the prehistoric world underneath your feet. From glittering ammonites to razor-sharp dinosaur claws and delicate leaf impressions, uncover our world's prehistoric past through the incredible fossils left behind. Arranged by plant or animal type, there are profiles of 50 key fossils, including well-loved favorites, such as Triceratops, and more curious remains, such as fossil fish teeth. Learn all about how fossils form, where they are found, and how ancient animals are reconstructed. Filled with facts and containing newly discovered species, even the biggest fossil fans will learn something new from this book. Stunning photographs can be studied in detail, while pronunciation guides help with tricky names, and a visual index provides a quick overview of all the key plants and animals in the ebook. My Book of Fossils is an ideal first ebook about fossils and dinosaurs, and is sure to be a hit with fact-obsessed young enthusiasts of all things prehistoric.
Nothing fills us with a sense of wonder like fossils. What looks at first like a simple rock is in fact a clue that reveals the staggering diversity of ancient environments, the winding pathways of evolution, and the majesty of a vanished earth. But as much as one might daydream of digging a hole in the backyard and finding a Tyrannosaurus, only a few places contain these buried treasures, and when a scientist comes across a remnant of prehistoric life, great care must be taken. What do budding paleontologists need to know before starting their search? In Fantastic Fossils, Donald R. Prothero offers an accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated guide to the paleontologist’s journey. He details the best places to look for fossils, the art of how to find them, and how to classify the major types. Prothero provides expert wisdom about typical fossils that an average person can hope to collect and how to hunt fossils responsibly and ethically. He also explores the lessons that both common and rarer discoveries offer about paleontology and its history, as well as what fossils can tell us about past climates and present climate change. Captivating illustrations by the paleoartist Mary Persis Williams bring to life hundreds of important specimens. Offering valuable lessons for armchair enthusiasts and paleontology students alike, Fantastic Fossils is an essential companion for all readers who have ever dreamed of going in search of traces of a lost world.
Prehistoric Life is a concise, accessible textbook focusing on the history of life and evolution within a geological and climatic context. Offering critical information and avoiding unnecessary bulk, the book begins with an introduction to the notion of science, the scientific method, and the limits of science. In the first half of the text, students learn about rocks, fossils, the geologic timescale, the structure of earth, abiogenesis, evolution, and classification. The second half of the book is devoted to exploring the past 3.8 billion years of life, from the earliest single-celled organisms in the Precambrian Eon through the rich evolutionary histories of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras, to today's modern organisms, including ourselves. Prehistoric Life is ideal for courses in introductory geology, biology, and paleontology courses and can also be used as a reference guide for fossil collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Dig into the history of life with this children’s introduction to paleontology, complete with an identification section and “how to” instructions. As incredible as it sounds, fossils are all around us, waiting to be discovered. Become a young paleontologist. Learn all about ancient lifeforms preserved in rock. Dan R. Lynch, author of many Rocks & Minerals field guides, presents a kids’ introduction to fossils. Begin by learning about the early Earth and the process of fossilization. That’s followed by an identification guide to the most common and collectible fossils: crinoids, snail shells, shark teeth, and more. With full-color photographs and illustrations, you’ll always know what to look for. A “how to” section includes the details your family needs to begin a successful fossil hunt. You’ll also get information on everything from rock shop fossils and rules of collecting to dinosaur fossils and more. So learn to find, identify, and even collect the petrified forms of ancient organisms. Whether children see their first fossil at a museum or find their own fossil seashells, this easy-to-understand book is a perfect guide for beginners. Inside You’ll Find “How to” section, including details on what to look for and where to look The basics of paleontology and how fossils formed Rules about what you can and can’t collect Identification guide to common and collectible invertebrate fossils, such as trilobites, as well as common rock shop finds
One of the leading textbooks in its field, Bringing Fossils to Life applies paleobiological principles to the fossil record while detailing the evolutionary history of major plant and animal phyla. It incorporates current research from biology, ecology, and population genetics, bridging the gap between purely theoretical paleobiological textbooks and those that describe only invertebrate paleobiology and that emphasize cataloguing live organisms instead of dead objects. For this third edition Donald R. Prothero has revised the art and research throughout, expanding the coverage of invertebrates and adding a discussion of new methodologies and a chapter on the origin and early evolution of life.
Travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth with this awe-inspiring dinosaur book for curious kids aged 7-9. The prehistoric word of dinosaurs is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Life is a stunning dinosaur encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they travel through the history of the Earth. From Tyrannosaurus and sabre-toothed cats, to ferns and woolly mammoths, this collection of amazing dinosaurs, plants, and other prehistoric life will wow children and many adults too - providing something for everyone to love! Showcasing more than 90 remarkable fossils, such as a fearsome Tyrannosaurus skull, delicate fern leaf, and perfectly preserved woolly mammoth, each plant or animal featured is shown both photographically and illustrated, and children will love poring over the detailed close-up images.The storybook descriptions let you discover the myths and legends surrounding the organisms, as well as key facts about their natural history. Find out why Pachycephalosaurus had such a thick head, how a coral fossil can be used to work out how long a prehistoric year was, and which fossil was thought to protect people from poison. The engaging storybook-style descriptions and simple text shed a light on the diverse world of dinosaurs, perfect for children aged 7-9 to love and explore for hours on end. Celebrate your child’s curiosity as they: - Explore more than 90 species from the prehistoric world - Reveal pronunciations of each and every dinosaur featured throughout - Uncover stunning photographs of fossils and gorgeous illustrations of each creature This dinosaur encyclopedia for children is the perfect blend of storybook style text with out of this world illustrations which makes it a fantastic dinosaur book for children who are obsessed with the prehistoric world. Encourage young readers to go on a time-travelling adventure back in time to explore a world of information, making this the ideal first reference book for kids aged 7-9 to enjoy for hours on end, whether reading with the family or reading alone, this fun fact book also doubles up as the perfect gift for curious kids who love to learn. Explore the vastness of the prehistoric world whilst uncovering: -Stunning Jacket Detail: gold foil, holographic foil & metallic gold edges -Striking photography & illustrations inside -A beautiful book for the whole family to treasure -A quality gift to be passed down through the generations More in the Series Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Life is part of the beautiful and informative Anthology series. Complete the series and nurture your child's curiosity as they explore the natural world with The Wonders of Nature or let them walk soar into the galaxies above with Mysteries of the Universe.
This book presents a comprehensive overview of the science of the history of life. Paleobiologists bring many analytical tools to bear in interpreting the fossil record and the book introduces the latest techniques, from multivariate investigations of biogeography and biostratigraphy to engineering analysis of dinosaur skulls, and from homeobox genes to cladistics. All the well-known fossil groups are included, including microfossils and invertebrates, but an important feature is the thorough coverage of plants, vertebrates and trace fossils together with discussion of the origins of both life and the metazoans. All key related subjects are introduced, such as systematics, ecology, evolution and development, stratigraphy and their roles in understanding where life came from and how it evolved and diversified. Unique features of the book are the numerous case studies from current research that lead students to the primary literature, analytical and mathematical explanations and tools, together with associated problem sets and practical schedules for instructors and students. “..any serious student of geology who does not pick this book off the shelf will be putting themselves at a huge disadvantage. The material may be complex, but the text is extremely accessible and well organized, and the book ought to be essential reading for palaeontologists at undergraduate, postgraduate and more advanced levels—both in Britain as well as in North America.” Falcon-Lang, H., Proc. Geol. Assoc. 2010 “...this is an excellent introduction to palaeontology in general. It is well structured, accessibly written and pleasantly informative .....I would recommend this as a standard reference text to all my students without hesitation.” David Norman Geol Mag 2010 Companion website This book includes a companion website at: www.blackwellpublishing.com/paleobiology The website includes: · An ongoing database of additional Practical’s prepared by the authors · Figures from the text for downloading · Useful links for each chapter · Updates from the authors
Follows the footsteps of life from the very first creatures and sea animals, to plants and arthropods leaving the water to live and walk on land, the evolution of reptiles and mammals, up to the early humans. Photographs of fossils, skulls, models and reconstructions are included.