Fossil Molds Casts
Fossil Molds Casts
Fossil Molds Casts
Fossils form in special cases when plants and animals are buried in mud or other
soft soils. If they don’t decay right away, they can be compressed by many layers
of sediment over thousands or millions of years and preserved as a fossil. The
two main types of fossils are molds and casts.
We find molds where an animal or plant was buried in mud or soft soil and
decayed away, leaving behind an impression of their bodies, leaves, or flowers.
Casts are formed when these impressions are filled with other types of sediment
that form rocks, which take the place of the animal or plant.
Materials:
• Something to fossilize: leaves, flowers, shells, sticks, bones, or small toys
• Mold material: oven-safe clay, salt dough (recipe below), or play dough
• Toilet paper tubes, aluminum foil, or other sturdy but flexible materials
• Flour or plaster-of-Paris
• Water
• Salt (optional)
Mold Fossils:
If you’re using salt dough, mix together 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup cold
water to make a soft dough.
Start with Steps 1-3 to create a mold, and move your mold to a tray or cookie
sheet to create your casts!
Step 6: Fossil formation takes time! Allow the molds and plaster to sit for 1-3
days to dry and cure completely. Remove the foil or plastic cylinder, peel off
the mold, and enjoy your cast fossil!