Fossils

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past, and yes this includes dinosaurs too. The study of fossils is called paleontology, and it is a very fascinating subject. Below are some links to pictures to a few of the more common fossils of the San Joaquin Valley. By clicking on the buttons below, you can learn more about these relics of the past.

Pioneering Paleontologists of the San Joaquin Valley

Frank M. Anderson (1863-1945) did the pioneering work on the mollusc stratigraphy of the San Joaquin Valley.	Robert M. Kleinpell (1905-1986) did the pioneering work on the foram stratigraphy of the San Joaquin Valley.
Both Anderson and Kleinpell are pioneering geologists of the San Joaquin Valley

Charles H. Sternberg (1850-1943) was a fossil collector and amateur paleontologist. He is shown here excavating a horse skull preserved in asphalt at the McKittrick Tar Pits.