LAB - Interpreting Events from Fossil Evidence
Pre-Lab Discussion
A fossil is any evidence of life in the prehistoric past. Fossils can be actual remains of animals, impressions, carbon residues, or tracks left
by a living organism. By using fossil records, scientists are able to piece together the story that fossils tell about the history of the Earth.
In this investigation, you will use some present-day knowledge and common sense to interpret fossil evidence.
Purpose: Describe how can fossils be used to reveal information about the events and organisms in an area in the
past.
Background Info: Look in your notes and write at least 5 sentences on the types of evidence that scientists use
to support evolution. Be specific with how they use and date fossil evidence.
Hypothesis: None
Variables: Interpretations
of fossil evidence
Materials: (per student)
Pencil and paper
Procedure: Summarize each
part in 1-2 detailed sentences in
your own words.
Part A.
1.
Observe the
diagram of the
fossil footprints in
Figure 1.
2.
Create a way to
clearly identify
each set of prints
to refer to as you answer the Data Analysis
Questions.
3.
Use Figure 1 to answer questions 1 through
5.
Note: Your interpretation should be consistent with the
diagram.
Part B.
1. Observe the diagram of the fossil footprints in
Figure 2.
2. Create a way to clearly identify each set of prints
to refer to as you answer the Data Analysis
Questions.
3. Use Figure 2 to answer questions 6 through 8.
4. Using the answers to these questions and some
common sense, interpret the events that may
have occurred in Figure 2. Note: Your
interpretation should be consistent with the diagram.
Figure 2
Data Collection: Redraw, scan or cut and paste figure 1 and 2 in this section.
Data Analysis:
Your answers should be in complete sentences, restating the question. No formulas or calculations for this lab.
Part A. Refer to Figure 1.
1. How can you tell which direction the animals are walking?
2. Did any of the animals change speed i.e. start running? When (give evidence from the figure)?
3. How many different animals are represented? Explain your answer.
4. What might the lines between the footprints of the animal at the top and the animal at the bottom of figure
1 represent?
5. If all the footprints were made within minutes of one another, which way was the wind blowing? Explain
your answer. Hint: how can carnivores track their prey or how do prey know if a carnivore is nearby.
Part B. Refer to Figure 2.
6. Did any of the animals change speed? Explain your answer.
7. How many animals are represented? Explain.
8. Is it possible that the animals who made the footprints represented in the diagram never actually met each
other at the same time? Explain your answer.
Fossil Evidence Analysis Questions:
9. How are fossilized footprints formed and preserved?
10. What could the depth of a footprint tell a scientist?
11. In what type of rock would you be most likely to find fossils?
12. Would you be likely to find the fossil remains of a jellyfish or a cockroach? Explain your answer.
13. The exposed rock layers of the Grand Canyon are rich with fossil specimens. What does the presence of
fossilized coral, sponges, shellfish, and trilobites indicate about the past climate of the Grand Canyon area?
14. Scientists have found fossils of the same kind of organism on different continents. How might this have
occurred?
Conclusion:

Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) interpreting the events in Figure 1. It should include information
like the types of animals, what happened, the type of environment and why. Support each of your
interpretations with SPECIFIC evidence from the fossil diagram.

Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) interpreting the events in Figure 2. It should include information
like the types of animals, what happened, the type of environment and why. Support each of your
interpretations with SPECIFIC evidence from the fossil diagram.

Don’t forget to put in error analysis (i.e. why doesn’t everyone get the same answers) and suggestions in
your report.