Favouring Fossilization

• Abundance of Organism


  Greater no. Of individuals, greater the chance that some will be preserved
• Rapid Burial after death

  Limits decay, erosion by transport and destruction by scavangers
• Fossilization in Situ


  Organisms not transport or eaten by scavengers. Results in limited abrasion and better preservation less likely to be broken up
• Covered by Argillaceous Sediment

  Efficient Seal, excludes O2 and limits decay. Argillaceous sediment gives finer detail
• Adults


  Skeletons are stronger than Juvenile ones
• Hard Parts


  Organisms should have hard parts
• Marine Environment


  Continental shelves have abundance of organisms and rapid sedimentation rates
• Limestone Reefs


  Slightly Alkaline conditions limit decay dissolution of shells by percolating waters