Final answer:
The process of locating and classifying fossils includes evaluating potential locations, collecting specimens, and classifying them using taxonomy. Stratigraphy and locality maps assist in determining the geological age, while flowcharts guide the classification to the precise phylum or class.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steps in Fossil Location and Classification
The process of locating and classifying fossils begins with identifying potential location areas. Factors like ease of access and geological features are considered to avoid places near faults, or areas that might be heavily forested. Once a potential site is identified, fossils can be collected and then classified using scientific methods. Classification follows the traditional biology taxonomy system, which includes domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. For the fossils discussed, the concentration is often at the phylum level.
Stratigraphy can help correlate the fossil with a specific geological period, as does the use of fossil localities maps, providing critical information about the age of the fossils. The flowchart from Figure 7.45 in the lab manual is an essential tool for guiding the classification process by leading scientists through observations to narrow down the fossil's identity to a specific phylum or class. The process integrates both geological and biological principles to enrich our understanding of Earth's history. Commonly, scientists will work to fill in missing pieces of such flow charts based on their observations and discoveries.