"Ward's Phenomena"

Ammonites grew their shells from calcium carbonate and grew constantly throughout their life span. A relative of octopi and squids today, ammonites swam through the open ocean, preying on smaller marine animals.

Bony fish first evolved during the Paleozoic era, over 400 million years ago. This fossil replica represents a mold of a ray-finned fish that died and was buried in the ocean.

This fossil replica represents an ancient sea urchin that crawled along the seafloor, feeding on algae. Although they are rarely preserved, echinoderms that looked like this had long spines like the sea urchins of today.

Detailed angiosperm leaf impression.

Common shark tooth.

Matching halves showing calcified chambers.