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Fossils That Are Found in Michigan

Millions of years ago, Michigan looked quite different. Most of it was underwater, like a bay that stretched to the ocean. Through erosion, the dry land that is now Michigan rose above the sea 300 millions years ago. Afterward, glacier movement formed the Great Lakes. The plants and animals that lived during the Precambrian to Cenozoic periods, which is when these changes occurred, are found in fossilized forms today, and many specimens are being found all over Michigan.

American Mastodon
- Mastodon
  
  Two hundred fifty American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) specimens have been found in Michigan, leading it to be designated as the state fossil. These late Cenozoic mammals were as tall as 10 feet high and members of the elephant family. Michigan specimens of the American Mastodon have been some of the best ever found.
Stromatolites
- Stromatolites
  
  Stromatolites, which are bacteria-like microorganisms from the Precambrian period, are not only rare--they are the world's oldest fossils. When Stromatolites were first discovered in Michigan in 1957, scientists were skeptical that they were indeed fossils because of their extreme age--the rock in which they were first found is 1.9 billion years old. First found in Gunflint Lake, they have also been found in Lake Superior.
Whale Fossils
- Whale
  
  Whale and even walrus fossils have been found in Michigan, proving that the state was once under water. A finback whale (Balaenoptera) bone was found in 1928; its fossilized remains date from approximately 290 million years ago.

Fossil Collecting