Photographic Guide To Fossils

Description

A new addition to the popular New Holland series of natural history and science photographic guides, the thirteenth title focuses on plant and animal fossils commonly found in New Zealand. Fossils are the preserved remains of past life and are very much part of the natural environment in this country. The range of fossils described covers the geological time-scale of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods. The younger Cenozoic rocks are especially widespread in New Zealand and for this reason Cenozoic fossils are the most common. Readers will learn to recognise the distinctive features of each group of fossils - shape, size, texture, colour and type of preservation - that serve as clues to the identity of any individual fossil organism. Excellent photographs provide a visual reference and individual entries provide essential geological information, along with biological and environmental detail about what fossils ate and where they lived. Written and researched by an expert team of paleontologists and geologists from GNS Science in Wellington, the authority of this guide is undeniable, but it is presented in a highly readable format.

Hamish Campbell has been a professional geologist in New Zealand for more than 30 years and is best known for his role as geologist and science commentator at Te Papa. Alan Beu and James Crampton are both paleontologists and principal scientists at GNS Science, Liz Kennedy is a paleobotanist and Marianna Terezow works as technician and photographer specialising in paleontology. All of the authors are employed by GNS Science in Wellington.