Desiccation occurs when an animal dies in a very dry environment. Water is drawn out of the tissues slowing the process of decay. The drying process may also reduce the probability of scavenging. This process is similar to human mummification. Ground sloths preserved through desiccation have been found in South America (Garcia & Miller, 1998, p. 15). Moa remains preserved through desiccation have been found in New Zealand (Walker & Ward, 2002, p. 13). Many of these specimens have been found in dry caves. Naturally mummified insects have been found in association with Pleistocene mammals frozen in tundra permafrost. Insects preserved through desiccation have also been found in Egyptian mummies and the stomachs of Eocene aged bats (Martinez-Delclos & Jarzembowski, 2000).

When is a preserved remain considered a fossil? Walker and Ward (2002) do not consider organisms preserved through desiccation to be fossils because they are only temporarily spared from decay (p. 13). Grimaldi and Engel (2005) point out that many include the idea that the remains must be of a species that has become naturally extinct. They argue that having this knowledge is problematic. Grimaldi and Engel suggest the following practical definition, "...a fossil is the remains or workings of any species, living or extinct, that have been naturally preserved for several thousand years or more (p. 62). Many definitions have time limits, which are set somewhat arbitrarily. This definition is similar to the one we have adopted for our website. Under this definition desiccation may be considered a fossilization process.

Garcia, F.A. & Miller, D.S. (1998). Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past. Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books.

Grimaldi, D. & Engel, M.S., (2005). Evolution of the Insects. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Martinez-Delclos, X., & Jarzembowski, E. (2000). Fossil insects in rocks. Meganeura Website. http://www.ub.edu/dpep/meganeura/52inrocks.htm

Walker C. & Ward D. (2002). Smithsonian Handbooks: Fossils. New York: Dorling Kindersley