Question

Which fossil building process is said to have taken place when the original organism has been completely dissolved leaving a hole in the rock that can later be filled by some other material
a. premineralization
b. cast and mold
c. compression
d. replacement and recrystallization

Answer 1

Organisms that are buried in sediment may decay or dissolve away leaving a mold. If the space is subsequently filled with sediment, an external cast can be made. Molds and casts are three dimensional and preserve the surface contours of the organism.