Ancient Life

Ancient Life Found in Kansas Rocks--An Introduction to Common Kansas Fossils


by Roger B. Williams, author and Michael L. Frederick, photographer

This online version is based on a book available from from the Kansas Geological Survey. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, call the KGS Publications Sales office at (785), 864-3965 and ask for "Educational Series 1." The price is $5. Other educational publications are also available from the Kansas Geological Survey.


Table of Contents

The Geologic History of Kansas

Fossils

Common Fossils of Kansas

Plants
"Algal Biscuit"
Several Upper Pennsylvanian Plants
Animals
One-celled organisms--Fusulinids
Sponges
Corals
Bryozoans
Brachiopods
Inarticulate
Articulate
Orthids
Strophomenids, Chonetids, and Productids
Rhynchonellids
Spiriferids and Terebratulids
Molluscs
Snails
Cephalopods
Clams
Nuculodia
Pearl Clams, Oysters, Scallops
Arthropods--Trilobites
Echinoderms
Echinoids
Crinoids
Vertebrates
Fish and Sharks
Reptiles
Mammals

Classification of Illustrated Fossils

Vocabulary

Other Resources


Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to the following without whose support and advice this publication would not have been possible:
Charles Baker who contributed several specimens from his private collection;
Robert W. Baxter for his review of the paleobotany materials;
Theodore Eaton for his review of the copy and his remarks and fossil listings;
Sharon K. Hagen who drafted the geologic map and coordinated the cover design;
William W. Hambleton who arranged the financial support and provided direction;
Philip H. Heckel, Larry D. Martin, Orville W. Bonner and Ronald R. West who selected fossils, prepared Kansas fossil lists and reviewed copy;
Frank W. Wilson whose colored geologic map provides a wonderful geological source for the book; and
Marceline A. Younkin who revised the geologic timetable.

(all photographs and line drawings are original, with the exception of line drawings for Hypselentoma, trilobites, Aviculpoecten, and two brachiopods, which are modified after illustrations from Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Parts I, N, O, and H, courtesy of Geological Society of America and The University of Kansas (Press).


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