The term 'PETRIFIED Relic' is composed of two words: 'FOSSIL' and 'PETRIFIED'. A FOSSIL is the remains or traces of a once-living organism that has been preserved in the earth's crust. Petrification is the process of turning organic material into stone, usually through the action of minerals. This process can occur naturally over time, or it can be artificially induced. A PETRIFIED relic is an object that has been preserved in this way, such as a dinosaur bone or a piece of wood.