Fossilized Rhinoceros Bone

Fossilized rhinoceros bone. (Asia or Europe) Fossilization occurs when the remains of an organism are buried in sediment and mineral-rich water seeps into the bones, replacing organic matter with minerals over time. This process is slow and requires specific conditions, such as low oxygen levels, to occur. As a result, only a small fraction of the organisms that have lived on Earth have been fossilized, and even fewer have been preserved in a complete state. Researchers speculate that fossils may have served a variety of roles in societies, from being used as an object for games or divination, to functioning as a standardized weight, or even as a magical object believed to bring good luck or mythical essence to its possessor.