Final answer:
Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms. These include bones, teeth, and impressions, which help scientists learn about prehistoric life and evolution. They provide insights into species now extinct and the paleoenvironments they inhabited.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to tangible remains or signs of ancient organisms, which are commonly known as fossils. Fossils constitute the preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the geological past. By studying fossils, scientists gain insight into the history of life on Earth and the evolution of species.
Biological anthropologists generally examine fossil artifacts to understand human evolution. These remains—typically bones, teeth, and imprints—become fossils under certain favorable conditions, such as in volcanic ash or mineralized groundwater. Fossil formation is exceptional; hence, the fossil record is inevitably incomplete. The preservation allows paleontologists to study and compare species from different eras, thereby reconstructing the planet's biodiversity history. Examples of fossils mentioned include shells, bones, impressions, and in some cases—even though rare—complete fossil skeletons.
Fossils not only provide us with evidence of species that are now extinct but also reveal details about the paleoenvironment where these organisms once thrived, known as ichnofacies. Overall, fossils offer a critical record that aids scientists in piecing together the past, contributing to our holistic understanding of Earth’s prehistoric life.