ERB102 Depositional Environments Sample 1-17

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This fossil appears to be a vertebrate. The vertebrae show clear evidence of ossification, suggesting it was a member of the class Mammalia. This type of fossil is likely to be found in a terrestrial environment, such as a river delta or coastal plain. Fossils like this can be preserved in sedimentary rocks, which are formed from compressed and cemented sediments. The conditions required for preservation include rapid burial by sediment, lack of oxygen, and minimal disturbance over millions of years. The factors that would have contributed to the preservation of this sample include a high concentration of organic matter, low oxygen levels, and stable temperatures over an extended period. These conditions can occur in environments such as deep-sea sediments or tropical swamps.