A
coprolite is
fossilized feces. Coprolites are classified as
trace fossils as opposed to body fossils, as they give evidence for the animal's behaviour (in this case, diet) rather than
morphology. The name is derived from the
Greek words κόπρος (
kopros, meaning "dung") and λίθος (
lithos, meaning "stone"). They were first described by
William Buckland in 1829. Prior to this they were known as "fossil fir cones" and "
bezoar stones". They serve a valuable purpose in
paleontology because they provide direct evidence of the predation and diet of extinct organisms. Coprolites may range in size from a few millimetres to over 60 centimetres.