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Fossils appeared continually throughout the history of life; the oldest known fossils are of stromatolites which are thought to be 3.4 billion years old Dinosaur fossils have doubtless been dug up for hundreds of years. The Chinese found "dragon" bones over 2000 years ago - these may well have been dinosaur fossils. In 1676, a large femur was found in England by Reverend Plot - probably from a dinosaur. A report of this find was published by Brookes in 1763.

The first dinosaur to be described scientifically was Megalosaurus; named in 1824, by William Buckland. Buckland (1784-1856) was a British fossil hunter and clergyman who collected fossils. The first dinosaur fossil that was found and described was an iguanadon, but this was described after the megalosaurus.

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Do fossils of certain organisms appear more then once then one continent?

Yes, fossils of certain organisms such as dinosaurs have been found on multiple continents, indicating the widespread distribution of these species in the past. This phenomenon can be attributed to factors like continental drift and migration patterns of these organisms.


Fossils that appear all over the world in certain rock layers are what?

Fossils that appear all over the world in particular rock layers are called index fossils. These fossils are used by scientists to correlate and date rock layers in different locations, providing insights into the Earth's geological history and past environments.


Why is it impossible for a cat fossil to be found in the same sedimentary rock layer as a dinosaur fossil?

Because the layer dinosaur fossils are located are from time period and the fact there were no mammals (cat like) on that time, makes it impossible for cats to be found on that layer. Actually the first mammals appear in the fossil record about the same time as the first dinosaurs, but until at the time the dinosaurs died out (65 million years ago) no mammal was quite as large as the modern cat (most were the size of rats or smaller). The first cats (and "dogs") did not appear until about 50 million years ago.


When did first birds appear?

The first birds appeared during the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. They are believed to have evolved from small theropod dinosaurs.


What types of dating estimates the age of a rock or fossil?

The rough estimating of the age of a fossil or rock containing fossils is called relative dating, and is based on the position of the rock or fossil in undisturbed sedimentary strata which contains what are called 'index fossils', fossils that only appear in specific geologic time periods.

Related Questions

Did mammals appear in the fossil record after dinosaurs became extinct?

No, mammals lived alongside dinosaurs and their earliest known fossils of about 200 million years old are almost contemporary with the early dinosaur fossils.


Why do scientist think the dinosaurs went extinct?

One reason is that there were a lot of fossils in many layers of rock and then suddenly, there are a lot fewer. Also, there don't appear to be many dinosaurs alive today. So, they went extinct. Do you really mean "how" did the dinosaurs go extinct?


Do fossils of certain organisms appear more then once then one continent?

Yes, fossils of certain organisms such as dinosaurs have been found on multiple continents, indicating the widespread distribution of these species in the past. This phenomenon can be attributed to factors like continental drift and migration patterns of these organisms.


Where in California did fossils of triceratops appear?

During the time when dinosaurs existed, California was almost entirely submerged under the Pacific Ocean. No fossils of Triceratops have been found in California, and Triceratops lived on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, not the west.


Fossils that appear all over the world in certain rock layers are what?

Fossils that appear all over the world in particular rock layers are called index fossils. These fossils are used by scientists to correlate and date rock layers in different locations, providing insights into the Earth's geological history and past environments.


During what period did dinosaurs first appear in the fossil records?

The oldest dinosaur fossils known to man date back to the late Triassic Period about 230 Million Years Ago.


According to Science, which was on the planet first Sharks or Dinosaurs?

The earliest shark fossils date back to almost 450 million years. Dinosaurs did not appear until 230 million years ago, meaning sharks have lived about 3 times as long as dinosaurs, and 100 times as long as hominids (human-like animals).


Did the first sharks appear after the dinosaurs?

Sharks appeared long before the dinosaurs. Their oldest fossils date back to somewhere between 450 and 420 million years ago, before there were land animals and when few plants had even colonized land. The first dinosaurs didn't appear until 230 million years ago. The sharks also outlasted the non-avian dinosaurs during the K-T extinction 65.5 million years ago, and they will probably continue to swim in the oceans for hundreds of millions of years to come.


Which period did dinosaurs appear?

The Mesozoic Era


Would you expect to find dinosaur bones in a rock that was 250 million years old?

No. Dinosaurs did not appear until aout 230 million years ago. You could, however, still find fossils of other animals.


Where elephants here before dinosaurs?

Mammals did not evolve until dinosaurs were prolific when they did appear they were very small and very scarce when dinosaurs died out.


What animal is believed to be the first to appear on land?

Dinosaurs