Clam and Snail Fossils

*Chosen Intuitively    Clams fossilize through a process called mineralization. When a clam dies, its soft tissues decompose, leaving behind the hard shell. Sediment, such as mud or sand, can then cover the shell. Over time, minerals in the surrounding water infiltrate the shell's structure, replacing the organic material with minerals like calcite or silica. This gradual mineral replacement preserves the clam's shape and details, creating a fossil.