化石的形成 The formation of fossils
发布时间: 2021-06-25 Add Time: 2021-06-25

古生物化石,指人类史前地质历史时期形成并赋存于地层中的生物遗体和活动遗迹,包括植物、动物化石及其遗迹化石。简单地说,化石就是生活在遥远过去的生物的遗体或遗迹变成的石头。古生物化石是地球历史的见证,是重要的地质遗迹,是研究生物起源和进化等的科学依据,是不可再生的自然遗产。



临夏地质公园内广泛分布着发育良好的晚新生代地层,其中蕴藏着极为丰富的古脊椎动物化石,已发现的化石出露点多达 100 多处,涵盖了和政县、广河县、东乡县、临夏县和积石山县的部分地区。已产出的化石中尤以巨犀动物群(距今约 3000 万年)、铲齿象动物群(距今约 1600 万 ~1200 万年)、 三趾马动物群(距今约 1200 万 ~600 万年)、真马动物群(距今约 200 万年)最为丰富。临夏古动物群化石数量之丰富、种类之繁多、保存之完好世界罕见,被古生物学界誉为“高原史书”“东方瑰宝”。








Paleontological fossils refer to the biological and active remains, including plants, animal fossils and trace fossils, which formed and existed in the strata during the prehistoric geological history of mankind. In short, the fossils are  stones which formed from the remains of organisms living in the distant past. Paleontological fossils are the witness of the earth’s history, important geoheritage, scientific basis for the study of biological origin and evolution.Beside, they are non-renewable natural heritage.


The well-developed late Cenozoic strata which contains abundant fossil vertebrates widely distributed in Linxia Geopark. More than 100 fossil outcrops have been found, covering areas of Hezheng County, Guanghe County, Dongxiang County, Linxia County and Jishishan county. Among the fossils that have been produced which are the most abundant included as follows: the giant rhinoceros fauna (about 30 million years ago), shovel tooth elephant fauna (about 16 million ~ 12 million years ago), three-toed horse fauna (about 12 million ~ 6 million years ago) and real horse fauna (about 2 million years ago). Linxia paleofauna is rare in the world because of its abundant quantity, various species and being well preserved. It is known as “plateau history book” and “oriental treasure” by paleontologists.