Fossilizations are the preservation of ancient organic or inorganic material in rock or sediment that has turned into a mineral form. Synonyms for the word fossilization include petrification, mineralization, calcification, lithification, and preservation. Petrification is the process of turning organic material into stone by replacing the original material with minerals. Mineralization is the process of forming minerals within or on a material. Calcification is the process of adding calcium to a material to make it harder. Lithification is the process of turning sediment into rock. Preservation is the act of protecting something from damage or decay. All of these synonyms describe the process of fossilization and the transformation of material over time.