Layers of sedimentary rock diagram illustrating the formation of sedimentary rocks over time, with layer 1 at the top and layer 8 at the bottom.

- Layer 8 is the oldest layer, and layer 1 is the youngest layer.
- The fossil found in layer 5 would be older than the one found in layer 4.
- This is because sedimentary rock layers are deposited over time, with the oldest layers at the bottom and newer layers forming on top. Therefore, anything buried in a lower layer was deposited earlier and is older than something in a higher layer.
- A footprint fossil is an imprint. It is formed when an animal steps into soft sediment, leaving a depression (an impression) that hardens into rock. An imprint captures the shape pressed into the surface, which matches the definition given for an imprint.