method used for investigation of fossils
Answers
Explanation:
During fossilization, the remains of extinct organisms are subjected to taphonomic and diagenetic processes. As a result, fossils show a variety of preservational artefacts, which can range from small breaks and cracks, disarticulation and fragmentation, to the loss and deformation of skeletal structures and other hard parts. Such artefacts can present a considerable problem, as the preserved morphology of fossils often forms the basis for palaeontological research. Phylogenetic and taxonomic studies, inferences on appearance, ecology and behaviour and functional analyses of fossil organisms strongly rely on morphological information. As a consequence, the restoration of fossil morphology is often a necessary prerequisite for further analyses. Facilitated by recent computational advances, virtual reconstruction and restoration techniques offer versatile tools to restore the original morphology of fossils. Different methodological steps and approaches, as well as software are outlined and reviewed here, and advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Although the complexity of the restorative processes can introduce a degree of interpretation, digitally restored fossils can provide useful morphological information and can be used to obtain functional estimates. Additionally, the digital nature of the restored models can open up possibilities for education and outreach and further research
Fossils may be defined as the remains of the organisms which have been preserved in the form of molds or cast in rocks etc. since prehistoric ages.
When a plant or an animals dies, their remains falls on the ground. Over a period of time their body gets covered by sediments brought by rivers, winds etc. These sediments keeps on getting accumulated for over hundred of years and when that land gets eroded, the fossils can be seen clearly. Thus, the process of accumulation of dead remains of plants and animals for over hundreds of years results in the formation of fossils.
There are two components to this estimation of age of fossils.
Relative- If we dig into the earth and start finding fossils, it is reasonable to suppose that the fossils we find closer to the surface are more recent than the fossils we find in deeper layers.
Dating fossils- detecting the ratios of different isotopes of the same element in the fossil material.