What IS a fossil after all? was Re: States Without Fossils

[Office <dinosaur@interport.net>]

OOps, well, sorry, but we got some misinformation or perhaps some
misstated information about the state of Washington. (The person knows
who they are, I'm sure).

We've corrected the entry for the State of Washington and will alter the
one for Hawaii somewhat.

But an interesting issue arises about what constitutes a fossil:

does "age" come into play? After all, the process goes on eternally, but
like "antiques" is there some sort of "cut-off" after which something
isn't "really" a fossil.

Perhaps one ought to make a distinction between ancient and modern
fossils (no more Jesse Helms jokes, please) or be specific as to the the
period involved. Suggestions?

Thanks.

E. Summer

NJPharris@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 97-06-16 05:24:29 EDT, dinosaur@interport.net (Office)
> writes:
> 
> > Is anyone aware of a state (or a country for that matter) which is
> >  totally bereft of fossils besides Washington State?
> 
> Hey, hey!  We've got fossils; we just don't have fossilized dinosaurs.  There
> are plenty of mammals and inverts up here.
> 
> Nick Pharris
> Olympia, WA
        
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