Story: Fossils

Fossil possum

Fossil possum

The remains of this possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) were preserved in the asphalt of a road surface near Taupō in 1992. Geologists cut out the section of road and it is now on display at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. Tar is an effective preservative, and spectacular fossils have been pulled out of tar pits around the world. This example illustrates that fossils are not only relics of the distant past but are forming all the time.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

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How to cite this page:

Hamish Campbell, 'Fossils - What are fossils?', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9017/fossil-possum (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Hamish Campbell, published 12 Jun 2006