Not all fossils mineralize the same way. The minerals available in the surrounding environment are a big part of how a fossil forms. Sometimes, minerals fully replace the original material, turning bone into solid stone. Other times, fewer minerals are available, and the fossil remains much more fragile. Each fossil carries the story of it's surrounding environment, it's chemistry and all the time it spent under the earth just waiting to be found. therelicroom.com #therelicroom #smokymountainrel