Fossils provide evidence about past life and environmental conditions. They can be preserved through mineralization, mummification, freezing, or as traces or molds/casts. Fossils show changes over time, with older rock layers containing different organisms than younger layers. Radiometric dating allows scientists to determine the precise ages of rocks and fossils by measuring radioactive decay, providing the most accurate dates. The principles of superposition and succession allow fossils and rock layers to be relatively dated based on their positions.