Kentucky's State Fossil: Brachiopods

Kentucky’s State Fossil is a brachiopod. Brachiopods are fossil shells, from animals that lived in ancient seas. Most are now extinct. Although they resemble clams, brachiopods were a different group of animals. Hundreds of different types of brachiopods can be found in Kentucky. Modern brachiopods live in the sea. Because brachiopods can be found in rocks throughout Kentucky, we know that Kentucky was once covered by oceans.

Download Fossil Fact Sheet for a summary of fossils in Kentucky