EON CODEX

Fossil Type

Body Fossils

Body fossils are the preserved remains of an organism's actual body parts — bones, shells, teeth, leaves, and sometimes even soft tissues. They are the most recognizable type of fossil and provide direct evidence of an organism's anatomy. Body fossils range from tiny microfossils visible only under a microscope to complete dinosaur skeletons spanning dozens of meters.

Formation

How Body Fossils Form

Body fossils form when an organism's hard parts (bones, shells, exoskeletons) are buried quickly in sediment before decomposition can destroy them. Over millions of years, mineral-rich groundwater percolates through the sediment, replacing original biological material molecule by molecule with minerals like calcite, silica, or pyrite — a process called permineralization. In exceptional cases, soft tissues like skin, feathers, or internal organs can be preserved through rapid burial in anoxic (oxygen-free) environments.

Field Guide

How to Identify Body Fossils

  • 1Look for recognizable anatomical structures — bones, shells, teeth
  • 2Often show detailed surface texture (growth lines, pores, sutures)
  • 3May be heavier than expected due to mineral replacement
  • 4Color often differs from surrounding rock (darker or lighter)

Examples

Common Examples

Dinosaur bones, trilobite exoskeletons, ammonite shells, fossil leaves, petrified wood, shark teeth, brachiopod shells.

Collection

Body Fossils in the Codex (403)

Acanthostega

Acanthostega

devonian

Acrocanthosaurus

Acrocanthosaurus

cretaceous

Adelobasileus

Adelobasileus

triassic

Agnostus

Agnostus

cambrian

Alalcomenaeus

Alalcomenaeus

cambrian

Albertonectes

Albertonectes

cretaceous

Albertosaurus

Albertosaurus

cretaceous

Amaltheus

Amaltheus

jurassic

Amargasaurus

Amargasaurus

cretaceous

Ambulocetus

Ambulocetus

paleogene

Amebelodon

Amebelodon

neogene

American Mastodon

American Mastodon

quaternary

Amphicyon

Amphicyon

neogene

Amplectobelua

Amplectobelua

cambrian

Andrewsarchus

Andrewsarchus

paleogene

Anhanguera

Anhanguera

cretaceous

Ankylosaurus

Ankylosaurus

cretaceous

Anomalocaris canadensis (Burgess Shale)

Anomalocaris canadensis (Burgess Shale)

cambrian

Araripesaurus

Araripesaurus

cretaceous

Archaeocidaris

Archaeocidaris

carboniferous

Archelon

Archelon

cretaceous

Ardi (ARA-VP-6/500)

Ardi (ARA-VP-6/500)

neogene

Ardipithecus ramidus

Ardipithecus ramidus

neogene

Argentavis

Argentavis

neogene

Argentinosaurus

Argentinosaurus

cretaceous

Askeptosaurus

Askeptosaurus

triassic

Asteroceras

Asteroceras

jurassic

Atrypa

Atrypa

devonian

Attenborosaurus

Attenborosaurus

jurassic

Australopithecus

Australopithecus

neogene

Australopithecus afarensis

Australopithecus afarensis

neogene

Australopithecus africanus

Australopithecus africanus

pliocene/pleistocene

Baculites

Baculites

cretaceous

Barbourofelis

Barbourofelis

neogene

Baryonyx

Baryonyx

cretaceous

Basilemys

Basilemys

cretaceous

Basilosaurus

Basilosaurus

paleogene

Basilosaurus cetoides

Basilosaurus cetoides

paleogene

Belemnitella

Belemnitella

cretaceous

Berlin Archaeopteryx (HMN 1880)

Berlin Archaeopteryx (HMN 1880)

jurassic

Big Al (MOR 693)

Big Al (MOR 693)

jurassic

Borealopelta

Borealopelta

cretaceous

Bothriolepis

Bothriolepis

devonian

Brontosaurus

Brontosaurus

jurassic

Brontotherium

Brontotherium

paleogene

Bumastus

Bumastus

silurian

Cacops

Cacops

permian

Calymene

Calymene

silurian

Camarasaurus

Camarasaurus

jurassic

Camptosaurus

Camptosaurus

jurassic

Canadaspis

Canadaspis

cambrian

Carcharodontosaurus

Carcharodontosaurus

cretaceous

Carnotaurus

Carnotaurus

cretaceous

Castoroides

Castoroides

quaternary

Caulkicephalus

Caulkicephalus

cretaceous

Cave Bear

Cave Bear

quaternary

Cave Hyena

Cave Hyena

quaternary

Centrosaurus

Centrosaurus

cretaceous

Cephalaspis

Cephalaspis

devonian

Ceratites

Ceratites

triassic

Ceraurus

Ceraurus

ordovician

Chalicothere

Chalicothere

neogene

Champsosaurus

Champsosaurus

paleogene

Chasmosaurus

Chasmosaurus

cretaceous

Cheirolepis

Cheirolepis

devonian

Citipati

Citipati

cretaceous

Cloudina

Cloudina

ediacaran

Clymenia

Clymenia

devonian

Coccosteus

Coccosteus

devonian

Coelophysis

Coelophysis

triassic

Columbian Mammoth

Columbian Mammoth

quaternary

Compsognathus

Compsognathus

jurassic

Conularia

Conularia

devonian

Coryphodon

Coryphodon

paleogene

Corythosaurus

Corythosaurus

cretaceous

Cretoxyrhina

Cretoxyrhina

cretaceous

Crinoid (Sea lily) slab

Crinoid (Sea lily) slab

carboniferous

Cryptoclidus

Cryptoclidus

jurassic

Cylindroteuthis

Cylindroteuthis

jurassic

Cynognathus

Cynognathus

triassic

Cystoid

Cystoid

ordovician

Dactylioceras

Dactylioceras

jurassic

Daeodon

Daeodon

neogene

Dakota the Edmontosaurus Mummy

Dakota the Edmontosaurus Mummy

cretaceous

Dalmanites

Dalmanites

silurian

Dapedium

Dapedium

jurassic

Darwinius (Ida)

Darwinius (Ida)

paleogene

Daspletosaurus

Daspletosaurus

cretaceous

Deinonychus

Deinonychus

cretaceous

Deinosuchus

Deinosuchus

cretaceous

Deinotherium

Deinotherium

neogene

Denisovan

Denisovan

quaternary

Desmatosuchus

Desmatosuchus

triassic

Dicynodon

Dicynodon

permian

Diictodon

Diictodon

permian

Dilophosaurus

Dilophosaurus

jurassic

Dimetrodon

Dimetrodon

permian

Dimorphodon

Dimorphodon

jurassic

Dinomischus

Dinomischus

cambrian

Diplocaulus

Diplocaulus

permian

Diplodocus

Diplodocus

jurassic

Dippy the Diplodocus (CM 84)

Dippy the Diplodocus (CM 84)

jurassic

Diprotodon

Diprotodon

quaternary

Dire Wolf

Dire Wolf

quaternary

Dodo

Dodo

quaternary

Dorudon

Dorudon

paleogene

Douvilleiceras

Douvilleiceras

cretaceous

Dreadnoughtus

Dreadnoughtus

cretaceous

Dromornis

Dromornis

neogene

Drotops

Drotops

devonian

Dryosaurus

Dryosaurus

jurassic

Dsungaripterus

Dsungaripterus

cretaceous

Edaphosaurus

Edaphosaurus

permian

Edmontosaurus

Edmontosaurus

cretaceous

Effigia

Effigia

triassic

Einiosaurus

Einiosaurus

cretaceous

Elasmotherium

Elasmotherium

quaternary

Elephant Bird

Elephant Bird

quaternary

Elrathia

Elrathia

cambrian

Enchodus

Enchodus

cretaceous

Endoceras

Endoceras

ordovician

Entelodon

Entelodon

paleogene

Eoraptor

Eoraptor

triassic

Epicyon

Epicyon

neogene

Equus scotti

Equus scotti

quaternary

Eryops

Eryops

permian

Estemmenosuchus

Estemmenosuchus

permian

Eudimorphodon

Eudimorphodon

triassic

Euoplocephalus

Euoplocephalus

cretaceous

Europasaurus

Europasaurus

jurassic

Eurypterid (Sea scorpion)

Eurypterid (Sea scorpion)

silurian

Eusthenopteron

Eusthenopteron

devonian

Exogyra

Exogyra

cretaceous

Favosites

Favosites

silurian

Fighting Dinosaurs Specimen

Fighting Dinosaurs Specimen

cretaceous

Fuxianhuia

Fuxianhuia

cambrian

Gallimimus

Gallimimus

cretaceous

Giant Moa

Giant Moa

quaternary

Gigantspinosaurus

Gigantspinosaurus

jurassic

Globidens

Globidens

cretaceous

Glyptodon

Glyptodon

quaternary

Gomphotherium

Gomphotherium

neogene

Goniatite

Goniatite

carboniferous

Gorgonops

Gorgonops

permian

Gorgosaurus

Gorgosaurus

cretaceous

Graptolite

Graptolite

silurian

Great Auk

Great Auk

quaternary

Greenops

Greenops

devonian

Gryphaea

Gryphaea

jurassic

Haast's Eagle

Haast's Eagle

quaternary

Hadrosaurus

Hadrosaurus

cretaceous

Halysites

Halysites

silurian

Hamites

Hamites

cretaceous

Hatzegopteryx

Hatzegopteryx

cretaceous

Helicoprion

Helicoprion

permian

Helmetia

Helmetia

cambrian

Henodus

Henodus

triassic

Hesperocyon

Hesperocyon

paleogene

Hesperornis

Hesperornis

cretaceous

Heterodontosaurus

Heterodontosaurus

jurassic

Hexagonaria

Hexagonaria

devonian

Hildoceras

Hildoceras

jurassic

Hipparion

Hipparion

neogene

Hippurites

Hippurites

cretaceous

Homo erectus

Homo erectus

quaternary

Homo ergaster

Homo ergaster

quaternary

Homo floresiensis

Homo floresiensis

quaternary

Homo habilis

Homo habilis

quaternary

Homo heidelbergensis

Homo heidelbergensis

quaternary

Homo naledi

Homo naledi

quaternary

Homo neanderthalensis

Homo neanderthalensis

quaternary

Homotherium

Homotherium

quaternary

Hoplites

Hoplites

cretaceous

Huayangosaurus

Huayangosaurus

jurassic

Hurdia

Hurdia

cambrian

Hybodus

Hybodus

jurassic

Hylonomus

Hylonomus

carboniferous

Hyneria

Hyneria

devonian

Hyolithes

Hyolithes

cambrian

Hypacrosaurus

Hypacrosaurus

cretaceous

Hypsilophodon

Hypsilophodon

cretaceous

Hyracotherium

Hyracotherium

paleogene

Ichthyornis

Ichthyornis

cretaceous

Ichthyostega

Ichthyostega

devonian

Iguanodon

Iguanodon

cretaceous

Indricotherium

Indricotherium

paleogene

Inoceramus

Inoceramus

cretaceous

Inostrancevia

Inostrancevia

permian

Insect in amber

Insect in amber

paleogene

Irish Elk

Irish Elk

quaternary

Isotelus

Isotelus

ordovician

Jaekelopterus

Jaekelopterus

devonian

Jeholopterus

Jeholopterus

jurassic

Josephoartigasia

Josephoartigasia

neogene

Kannemeyeria

Kannemeyeria

triassic

Keichousaurus

Keichousaurus

triassic

Kelenken

Kelenken

neogene

Kettneraspis

Kettneraspis

silurian

Knightia

Knightia

paleogene

Kosmoceratops

Kosmoceratops

cretaceous

Kronosaurus

Kronosaurus

cretaceous

Lambeosaurus

Lambeosaurus

cretaceous

Lariosaurus

Lariosaurus

triassic

Leanchoilia

Leanchoilia

cambrian

Leedsichthys

Leedsichthys

jurassic

Leonardo (JRF 115H)

Leonardo (JRF 115H)

cretaceous

Lepidotes

Lepidotes

jurassic

Leptoceratops

Leptoceratops

cretaceous

Leptomeryx

Leptomeryx

paleogene

Lingula

Lingula

ordovician

Liopleurodon

Liopleurodon

jurassic

Lucy (AL 288-1)

Lucy (AL 288-1)

neogene

Lunulicardium

Lunulicardium

devonian

Lystrosaurus

Lystrosaurus

permian

Macrauchenia

Macrauchenia

quaternary

Maiasaura

Maiasaura

cretaceous

Majungasaurus

Majungasaurus

cretaceous

Mamenchisaurus

Mamenchisaurus

jurassic

Mapusaurus

Mapusaurus

cretaceous

Massospondylus

Massospondylus

jurassic

Mastodonsaurus

Mastodonsaurus

triassic

Mawsonia

Mawsonia

cretaceous

Megacerops

Megacerops

paleogene

Megalania

Megalania

quaternary

Megalodon

Megalodon

neogene

Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon) tooth

Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon) tooth

neogene

Megalosaurus

Megalosaurus

jurassic

Megarachne

Megarachne

carboniferous

Megatherium

Megatherium

quaternary

Meiolania

Meiolania

quaternary

Merychippus

Merychippus

neogene

Merycoidodon

Merycoidodon

paleogene

Mesohippus

Mesohippus

paleogene

Mesosaurus

Mesosaurus

permian

Metoposaurus

Metoposaurus

triassic

Minmi

Minmi

cretaceous

Miragaia

Miragaia

jurassic

Mixosaurus

Mixosaurus

triassic

Moeritherium

Moeritherium

paleogene

Mononykus

Mononykus

cretaceous

Morganucodon

Morganucodon

triassic

Mosasaurus

Mosasaurus

cretaceous

Moschops

Moschops

permian

Mucrospirifer

Mucrospirifer

devonian

Muttaburrasaurus

Muttaburrasaurus

cretaceous

Myllokunmingia

Myllokunmingia

cambrian

Naraoia

Naraoia

cambrian

Nectocaris

Nectocaris

cambrian

Neohibolites

Neohibolites

cretaceous

Nigersaurus

Nigersaurus

cretaceous

Nimravus

Nimravus

paleogene

Nipponites

Nipponites

cretaceous

Nodosaurus

Nodosaurus

cretaceous

Nothosaurus

Nothosaurus

triassic

Nothronychus

Nothronychus

cretaceous

Nyctosaurus

Nyctosaurus

cretaceous

Olenellus

Olenellus

cambrian

Olenoides

Olenoides

cambrian

Oligokyphus

Oligokyphus

jurassic

Ophiacodon

Ophiacodon

permian

Ophthalmosaurus

Ophthalmosaurus

jurassic

Ordovician Nautiloid

Ordovician Nautiloid

ordovician

Ornithomimus

Ornithomimus

cretaceous

Orrorin tugenensis

Orrorin tugenensis

neogene

Orthoceras

Orthoceras

ordovician

Otodus

Otodus

paleogene

Ouranosaurus

Ouranosaurus

cretaceous

Oviraptor

Oviraptor

cretaceous

Pachycephalosaurus

Pachycephalosaurus

cretaceous

Pachyrhinosaurus

Pachyrhinosaurus

cretaceous

Pakicetus

Pakicetus

paleogene

Palaeomastodon

Palaeomastodon

paleogene

Panderichthys

Panderichthys

devonian

Paraceratherium

Paraceratherium

neogene

Paradoxides

Paradoxides

cambrian

Paranthropus boisei

Paranthropus boisei

quaternary

Paranthropus robustus

Paranthropus robustus

quaternary

Passaloteuthis

Passaloteuthis

jurassic

Passenger Pigeon

Passenger Pigeon

quaternary

Patagotitan mayorum (Femur)

Patagotitan mayorum (Femur)

cretaceous

Pelagornis

Pelagornis

neogene

Pentaceratops

Pentaceratops

cretaceous

Pentacrinites

Pentacrinites

jurassic

Pentamerus

Pentamerus

silurian

Pentremites

Pentremites

carboniferous

Pholidophorus

Pholidophorus

jurassic

Phorusrhacos

Phorusrhacos

neogene

Placerias

Placerias

triassic

Placodus

Placodus

triassic

Platecarpus

Platecarpus

cretaceous

Plateosaurus

Plateosaurus

triassic

Platybelodon

Platybelodon

neogene

Plesiosaur

Plesiosaur

jurassic

Plesiosaurus

Plesiosaurus

jurassic

Pliosaurus

Pliosaurus

jurassic

Postosuchus

Postosuchus

triassic

Preondactylus

Preondactylus

triassic

Prionosuchus

Prionosuchus

permian

Priscacara

Priscacara

paleogene

Probainognathus

Probainognathus

triassic

Procoptodon

Procoptodon

quaternary

Productus

Productus

carboniferous

Prognathodon

Prognathodon

cretaceous

Proterogyrinus

Proterogyrinus

carboniferous

Protoceratops

Protoceratops

cretaceous

Psittacosaurus

Psittacosaurus

cretaceous

Pteranodon

Pteranodon

cretaceous

Pteraspis

Pteraspis

devonian

Pterodactylus

Pterodactylus

jurassic

Pterodaustro

Pterodaustro

cretaceous

Pterygotus

Pterygotus

silurian

Pulmonoscorpius

Pulmonoscorpius

carboniferous

Pyrotherium

Pyrotherium

paleogene

Quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus

cretaceous

Quinkana

Quinkana

neogene to quaternary

Radiolites

Radiolites

cretaceous

Rafinesquina

Rafinesquina

ordovician

Receptaculites

Receptaculites

ordovician

Redlichia

Redlichia

cambrian

Requienia

Requienia

cretaceous

Rhamphorhynchus

Rhamphorhynchus

jurassic

Robertia

Robertia

permian

Rugops

Rugops

cretaceous

Rugose Horn Coral

Rugose Horn Coral

devonian

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

neogene

Saltasaurus

Saltasaurus

cretaceous

Sanctacaris

Sanctacaris

cambrian

Sarcosuchus

Sarcosuchus

cretaceous

Saurolophus

Saurolophus

cretaceous

Sauropelta

Sauropelta

cretaceous

Scaphites

Scaphites

cretaceous

Scotty the T. rex (RSM P2523.8)

Scotty the T. rex (RSM P2523.8)

cretaceous

Scutellosaurus

Scutellosaurus

jurassic

Scutosaurus

Scutosaurus

permian

Sebecus

Sebecus

paleogene

Seymouria

Seymouria

permian

Shonisaurus

Shonisaurus

triassic

Short-faced Bear

Short-faced Bear

quaternary

Shunosaurus

Shunosaurus

jurassic

Sidneyia

Sidneyia

cambrian

Sivatherium

Sivatherium

quaternary

Smilodon

Smilodon

quaternary

Sophie the Stegosaurus (NHMUK PV R36730)

Sophie the Stegosaurus (NHMUK PV R36730)

jurassic

Sordes

Sordes

jurassic

Sphenacodon

Sphenacodon

permian

Spinosaurus

Spinosaurus

cretaceous

Spirifer

Spirifer

carboniferous

Stan the T. rex (BHI 3033)

Stan the T. rex (BHI 3033)

cretaceous

Stegodon

Stegodon

quaternary

Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus

jurassic

Stenopterygius

Stenopterygius

jurassic

Stethacanthus

Stethacanthus

carboniferous

Struthiomimus

Struthiomimus

cretaceous

Stupendemys

Stupendemys

neogene

Styracosaurus

Styracosaurus

cretaceous

Styxosaurus

Styxosaurus

cretaceous

Suchomimus

Suchomimus

cretaceous

Sue the T. rex (FMNH PR 2081)

Sue the T. rex (FMNH PR 2081)

cretaceous

Syndyoceras

Syndyoceras

neogene

Synthetoceras

Synthetoceras

neogene

Syringopora

Syringopora

carboniferous

Tanystropheus longobardicus

Tanystropheus longobardicus

triassic

Tapejara

Tapejara

cretaceous

Tarbosaurus

Tarbosaurus

cretaceous

Taung Child

Taung Child

quaternary

Teleoceras

Teleoceras

neogene

Temnodontosaurus

Temnodontosaurus

jurassic

Tenontosaurus

Tenontosaurus

cretaceous

Tentaculites

Tentaculites

devonian

Teratornis

Teratornis

quaternary

Thalassomedon

Thalassomedon

cretaceous

Thalattosaurus

Thalattosaurus

triassic

Thrinaxodon

Thrinaxodon

triassic

Thylacoleo

Thylacoleo

quaternary

Thylacosmilus

Thylacosmilus

neogene

Tiktaalik

Tiktaalik

devonian

Titanis

Titanis

quaternary

Torosaurus

Torosaurus

cretaceous

Toxodon

Toxodon

quaternary

Triarthrus

Triarthrus

ordovician

Trilobite (Phacops rana)

Trilobite (Phacops rana)

devonian

Trix the T. rex (RGM 792.000)

Trix the T. rex (RGM 792.000)

cretaceous

Troodon

Troodon

cretaceous

Tropeognathus

Tropeognathus

cretaceous

Tsintaosaurus

Tsintaosaurus

cretaceous

Tuojiangosaurus

Tuojiangosaurus

jurassic

Tupuxuara

Tupuxuara

cretaceous

Turkana Boy (KNM-WT 15000)

Turkana Boy (KNM-WT 15000)

quaternary

Turrilites

Turrilites

cretaceous

Tylosaurus

Tylosaurus

cretaceous

Uintatherium

Uintatherium

paleogene

Ursus spelaeus (Cave Bear)

Ursus spelaeus (Cave Bear)

quaternary

Utahraptor

Utahraptor

cretaceous

Varanops

Varanops

permian

Vetulicola

Vetulicola

cambrian

Walliserops

Walliserops

devonian

Woolly Mammoth

Woolly Mammoth

quaternary

Woolly Rhinoceros

Woolly Rhinoceros

quaternary

Xenacanthus

Xenacanthus

carboniferous

Xiphactinus

Xiphactinus

cretaceous

Yi qi

Yi qi

jurassic

Yutyrannus

Yutyrannus

cretaceous

Zuul

Zuul

cretaceous