Here is a fossil that has been broken into nine pieces. It had been restored once before, but...let's just say one of the teachers is a bit clumsy.
It used to be a 3 x 3 square. Can you put it all back together?
Since it's quite fragile, you can only move three pieces at a time horizontally or vertically. Put it back together in the center of the grid when it's complete.
UK Version
This splendid fossil is broken into nine pieces. It was actually restored once before, but, well, let's just say one of the research assistants is a bit of a butterfingers.
It used to be a 3 x 3 square. Think you can get it back to normal?
Since it's quite fragile and broken enough as it is, you can only move three pieces at a time horizontally or vertically. Put it back together in the centre of the grid.
You can put this fossil back together in just four moves. If you get it wrong, it'll make things harder for you, so be careful when moving the pieces.
US Version
You can move only three pieces at a time. This is actually to your advantage, as it reduces the number of possible parts you can move.
Remember, you want to move the pieces in order to have the complete fossil in the middle nine squares of the grid.
UK Version
You can only move three pieces at a time. This is actually to your advantage, as it reduces the number of possible parts you can move.
Remember, you want to move the pieces in order to have the complete fossil in the middle nine squares of the grid.
Here's some more hands-on advice: first, move the three pieces in the second column from the left down one row.
What should your next move be? Remember, you want the result to be in the middle nine squares.
US Version
Continuing on from Hint 3, move the three pieces in the center column up one row. Next, move the three pieces in the second row from the bottom over to the right one column.
Can you work out the last move?
UK Version
Continuing on from Hint 3, move the three pieces in the centre column up one row. Next, move the three pieces in the second row from the bottom over to the right one column.
Can you work out the last move?
Solution
Correct
Correct!
So it was an ammonite fossil.
You can solve this puzzle in just four moves. Who'd have thought it was so simple?