3.6 Ancient Gorillas?

A. Ancient Fossils

Scientists can learn from studying species that are alive today, but they can also learn about species that lived in the past. One way to do that is by studying fossils. 

 

Directions: Here are three images and three facts about fossils. Use these facts and images to create your own, one-sentence definition of a fossil. 

A Dig!

These are scientists digging for fossils in the earth.

Cellphone.3.7.Fossil.1

Raptor Fossil

This is an image of a Velociraptor fossil.

A Velociraptor is a dinosaur that lived on Earth millions of years ago. These are raptor fossils that were discovered in rock. They were near the surface of the earth because the rock covering them had been washed away. 

Cellphone.3.7.Fossil.3

Gorilla Skull

This is the skull of a gorilla.

It was not found buried in the earth and is not a fossil.

Cellphone.3.7.Fossil.2

B. Layers of the Earth Challenge

We find fossils by exploring the layers of the Earth. We can determine the age of a fossil by the layer of the Earth in which it is found. The ages of the Earth’s layers vary from one location to another. Here’s a section of the Earth from a town in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is in Africa. Can you find it on the map? 

Directions: Give your best guess. Try to put the layers of the Earth in the correct order. Do you think the oldest layer is on the top or the bottom? Why? 

Layers
Challenge

C. Read

Fact Finder: Now we’re going to read more about fossils and gorillas of the past. As you read, write down any important information in the “Fact Finder” section of your mission log.

 

When you are done reading the zine, check your definition of a fossil. Were you right? Revise your definition to add more detail if needed. 

What are fossils and what can they teach us about gorillas of the past?

D. Laugh it Out

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