National Fossil Day: From Rock to Roar

Fossils are more than ancient bones—they’re evidence that lets scientists reconstruct past worlds, track evolution, and understand how life responds to climate and habitat change. That’s why National Fossil Day exists: to highlight the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations.

—Mira Bryant; Tuesday, October 7, 2025

How fossils guide our builds

At Billings, accuracy begins with the fossil record. We study skeletal anatomy to set proportions and motion ranges; we review trackways to infer stance and gait; and when skin impressions or feather traces exist, we use them to guide textures and surface details. Museums demonstrate how fossils are prepared and conserved—work that underpins every realistic reconstruction.

What fossils can tell us

Fossils document how organisms lived and changed through time, revealing relationships among species and the environments they inhabited. They also record behavior: tracksites capture movement patterns and interactions that bones alone can’t show. In some rare cases, microscopic structures in fossil feathers (melanosomes) even hint at original colors—details that inform our final paint and finish choices.

Why it matters today

By connecting guests to evidence-based creatures, we’re not just recreating the past—we’re helping people see how science works and why protecting today’s biodiversity matters. Fossils are a shared archive of Earth’s history; preserving and studying them keeps that story alive for the next generation. You can check out our Educational Programing to have us come to an event or library near you! We love teaching little ones why fossils are more than just rocks!

—Built in Texas. Guided by fossils. Inspired by wonder.