trace fossil
noun
: a fossil (as of a dinosaur footprint) that shows the activity of an animal or plant but is not formed from the organism itself
Examples of trace fossil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once upon a planet Further animating our understanding of the creatures that populated prehistoric Earth are trace fossils — or ancient animal tracks frozen in time.
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Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Unlike body fossils such as bones and teeth, these trace fossils indicate the daily activities of long-extinct animals, according to the scientists.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
This glimpse into prehistory is possible thanks to two tiny fossil footprints and the dogged work of an undergraduate intern at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument with a particular interest in ancient tracks, known as trace fossils.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
The scientists, led by fossil track specialist Conner Bennett, used advanced 3D imaging techniques to identify and analyze four sets of vertebrate trace fossils, including impressions left behind by prehistoric birds, mammals, lizards and invertebrates.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Hidden in plain sight The study authors also analyzed two other instances of trace fossils that were found in unexpected locations.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Proterozoic fossils, dating from 2,500 million to 539 million years ago, include body imprints in fine sediments, stromatolites, trace fossils, chemical and isotopic remains.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
And trace fossils tend to focus on more terrestrial forms of motion.
—Margherita Bassi, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
There is evidence through trace fossils that burrows date back 540 million years.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
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Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Unlike body fossils such as bones and teeth, these trace fossils indicate the daily activities of long-extinct animals, according to the scientists.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
This glimpse into prehistory is possible thanks to two tiny fossil footprints and the dogged work of an undergraduate intern at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument with a particular interest in ancient tracks, known as trace fossils.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
The scientists, led by fossil track specialist Conner Bennett, used advanced 3D imaging techniques to identify and analyze four sets of vertebrate trace fossils, including impressions left behind by prehistoric birds, mammals, lizards and invertebrates.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Hidden in plain sight The study authors also analyzed two other instances of trace fossils that were found in unexpected locations.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Proterozoic fossils, dating from 2,500 million to 539 million years ago, include body imprints in fine sediments, stromatolites, trace fossils, chemical and isotopic remains.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
And trace fossils tend to focus on more terrestrial forms of motion.
—Margherita Bassi, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
There is evidence through trace fossils that burrows date back 540 million years.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Trace fossil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trace%20fossil. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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