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Rare Pterosaur Neck Bone Discovery Shows Crocodilian Bite From 76 Million Years Ago
A fossilised neck bone from a juvenile Cryodrakon boreas has been unearthed in Alberta, showing evidence of a crocodilian bite. The discovery highlights predator-prey dynamics from 76 million years ago, where ancient crocodilians preyed on or scavenged young pterosaurs. This specimen, identified through micro-CT scans, provides rare evidence of int...
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Fossils Reveal Evolution of Early Nervous Systems in Ecdysozoans
A study published in Science Advances has provided groundbreaking insights into the early evolution of nervous systems in ecdysozoans, the group that includes insects and nematodes. Fossils from the Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation showed that ancient organisms like Eopriapulites had a single ventral nerve cord, supporting its ancestral role. Researc...
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Human Hunting More Responsible for Kangaroo Extinction than Climate Change
A recent study of ancient kangaroo teeth contradicts previous beliefs that climate change caused their extinction. By examining the wear on teeth, researchers found that kangaroos had flexible diets, which made them resilient to climate shifts. This evidence suggests that human hunting activities, rather than dietary limitations, played a more sign...
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Australopithecus Afarensis' Limited Running Speed Unveiled in 3D Simulation Study
A recent study using advanced 3D simulations has uncovered the running limitations of Australopithecus afarensis, an ancient hominin that lived over three million years ago. The findings highlight that while the species was capable of running, it could not match the speed or efficiency of modern humans. Insights from muscle mass estimates and digit...
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Well-Preserved 50,000-Year-Old Baby Mammoth Yana Unearthed in Siberia
The remarkably well-preserved remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth, named Yana, were discovered in Siberia's Batagaika crater. Unearthed from thawing permafrost in the Yakutia region, Yana’s carcass, weighing over 240 pounds and measuring about four feet long, is considered one of the best-preserved mammoth remains ever found. Notably, her h...
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Tracing the Origins of Oaks: How Climate and Tectonic Changes Shaped Modern Trees
Oaks, iconic trees in today’s forests, evolved over millions of years, influenced by significant climatic events like the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Fossils found in Austria reveal the earliest oak evidence, while tectonic movements led to the diversification of oak species across continents. Oaks adapted to changing climates, making their...
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Scientists Discover New Triassic Reptile with Unique Teeth in England
Scientists have uncovered Threordatoth chasmatos, a new species of Triassic reptile from Cromhall Quarry in South Gloucestershire. The reptile belonged to the procolophonid group, featuring unique three-pointed teeth. These jaw adaptations suggest the species specialised in herbivorous diets, offering insights into the evolution of ancient reptiles...
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Dorset's Fossil Forest: A Jurassic Landscape Preserved by Microbial Fossilisation
The Fossil Forest in Dorset, England, preserves tree stumps from the late Jurassic period through unique microbial fossilisation. Found along the Jurassic Coast, these remains showcase the ancient Protocupressinoxylon cypress species and offer insight into prehistoric ecosystems. Rising sea levels submerged the forest, but microbes encased the root...
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Homo Juluensis Discovered: A New Chapter in Middle Pleistocene Human Evolution
A newly discovered species, Homo juluensis, has been identified from fossils found in China, dating back between 220,000 and 100,000 years ago. The fossils, unearthed at Xujiayao and Xuchang, feature large skulls with a unique blend of Neanderthal, Denisovan and modern human traits. Researchers, including Christopher Bae from the University of Hawa...
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Fossil Footprints Show Two Ancient Human Ancestors "Crossed Paths"
About 1.5 million years ago, individuals of two different species in the human evolutionary lineage trudged on a muddy lakeshore in northern Kenya.
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Lucy, First Human Ancestor, May Not Have Been Lone Species, Research Shows
Around 3.2 million years ago, in what is now present-day Ethiopia, a tiny human made it to the fossil record. Despite much research there is uncertainty over what could have led to their death.
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Saber-Toothed Kitten Preserved for 37,000 Years Found in Siberian Ice
A saber-toothed kitten, frozen in Siberian permafrost for 37,000 years, has provided an unprecedented look at the extinct predator Homotherium latidens. Unearthed near the Arctic Circle, the well-preserved cub retains soft brown fur, intact whiskers, sharp claws, and footpads, offering unique insights into its anatomy. Radiocarbon dating revealed t...
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Australopithecines May Have Used Tools Over 3 Million Years Ago, Reveals New Study
A recent study reveals that australopithecines, including Lucy’s species, may have used tools over 3 million years ago. By examining muscle attachment sites on their hand bones, researchers found traits indicating a high degree of dexterity. This discovery could redefine our understanding of the timeline for tool use, suggesting that early human ...
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Rare Fossils From Extinct Elephants Document Earliest Instance of Butchery in India’s Kashmir Valley
In the Kashmir Valley, rare fossils from extinct elephants reveal the earliest evidence of human butchery in India, dating back 300,000 to 400,000 years. The discovery includes stone tools used to extract bone marrow, offering insight into early human behaviour in the region. These fossils, from the extinct elephant species Palaeoloxodon turkmenicu...
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Ancient Humans Remained in Frigid Central Europe During Last Ice Age, New Study Reveals
A recent study has revealed that some ancient humans did not retreat from Central Europe during the last ice age. Instead, they adapted to the harsh conditions, similar to species like brown bears and wolves. Led by Oxala García-Rodríguez from Bournemouth University, the study utilised genetic data to show how humans thrived in frigid climates, w...
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Rare Pterosaur Neck Bone Discovery Shows Crocodilian Bite From 76 Million Years Ago
A fossilised neck bone from a juvenile Cryodrakon boreas has been unearthed in Alberta, showing evidence of a crocodilian bite. The discovery highlights predator-prey dynamics from 76 million years ago, where ancient crocodilians preyed on or scavenged young pterosaurs. This specimen, identified through micro-CT scans, provides rare evidence of int...
-
Fossils Reveal Evolution of Early Nervous Systems in Ecdysozoans
A study published in Science Advances has provided groundbreaking insights into the early evolution of nervous systems in ecdysozoans, the group that includes insects and nematodes. Fossils from the Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation showed that ancient organisms like Eopriapulites had a single ventral nerve cord, supporting its ancestral role. Researc...
-
Human Hunting More Responsible for Kangaroo Extinction than Climate Change
A recent study of ancient kangaroo teeth contradicts previous beliefs that climate change caused their extinction. By examining the wear on teeth, researchers found that kangaroos had flexible diets, which made them resilient to climate shifts. This evidence suggests that human hunting activities, rather than dietary limitations, played a more sign...
-
Australopithecus Afarensis' Limited Running Speed Unveiled in 3D Simulation Study
A recent study using advanced 3D simulations has uncovered the running limitations of Australopithecus afarensis, an ancient hominin that lived over three million years ago. The findings highlight that while the species was capable of running, it could not match the speed or efficiency of modern humans. Insights from muscle mass estimates and digit...
-
Well-Preserved 50,000-Year-Old Baby Mammoth Yana Unearthed in Siberia
The remarkably well-preserved remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth, named Yana, were discovered in Siberia's Batagaika crater. Unearthed from thawing permafrost in the Yakutia region, Yana’s carcass, weighing over 240 pounds and measuring about four feet long, is considered one of the best-preserved mammoth remains ever found. Notably, her h...
-
Tracing the Origins of Oaks: How Climate and Tectonic Changes Shaped Modern Trees
Oaks, iconic trees in today’s forests, evolved over millions of years, influenced by significant climatic events like the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Fossils found in Austria reveal the earliest oak evidence, while tectonic movements led to the diversification of oak species across continents. Oaks adapted to changing climates, making their...
-
Scientists Discover New Triassic Reptile with Unique Teeth in England
Scientists have uncovered Threordatoth chasmatos, a new species of Triassic reptile from Cromhall Quarry in South Gloucestershire. The reptile belonged to the procolophonid group, featuring unique three-pointed teeth. These jaw adaptations suggest the species specialised in herbivorous diets, offering insights into the evolution of ancient reptiles...
-
Dorset's Fossil Forest: A Jurassic Landscape Preserved by Microbial Fossilisation
The Fossil Forest in Dorset, England, preserves tree stumps from the late Jurassic period through unique microbial fossilisation. Found along the Jurassic Coast, these remains showcase the ancient Protocupressinoxylon cypress species and offer insight into prehistoric ecosystems. Rising sea levels submerged the forest, but microbes encased the root...
-
Homo Juluensis Discovered: A New Chapter in Middle Pleistocene Human Evolution
A newly discovered species, Homo juluensis, has been identified from fossils found in China, dating back between 220,000 and 100,000 years ago. The fossils, unearthed at Xujiayao and Xuchang, feature large skulls with a unique blend of Neanderthal, Denisovan and modern human traits. Researchers, including Christopher Bae from the University of Hawa...
-
Fossil Footprints Show Two Ancient Human Ancestors "Crossed Paths"
About 1.5 million years ago, individuals of two different species in the human evolutionary lineage trudged on a muddy lakeshore in northern Kenya.
-
Lucy, First Human Ancestor, May Not Have Been Lone Species, Research Shows
Around 3.2 million years ago, in what is now present-day Ethiopia, a tiny human made it to the fossil record. Despite much research there is uncertainty over what could have led to their death.
-
Saber-Toothed Kitten Preserved for 37,000 Years Found in Siberian Ice
A saber-toothed kitten, frozen in Siberian permafrost for 37,000 years, has provided an unprecedented look at the extinct predator Homotherium latidens. Unearthed near the Arctic Circle, the well-preserved cub retains soft brown fur, intact whiskers, sharp claws, and footpads, offering unique insights into its anatomy. Radiocarbon dating revealed t...
-
Australopithecines May Have Used Tools Over 3 Million Years Ago, Reveals New Study
A recent study reveals that australopithecines, including Lucy’s species, may have used tools over 3 million years ago. By examining muscle attachment sites on their hand bones, researchers found traits indicating a high degree of dexterity. This discovery could redefine our understanding of the timeline for tool use, suggesting that early human ...
-
Rare Fossils From Extinct Elephants Document Earliest Instance of Butchery in India’s Kashmir Valley
In the Kashmir Valley, rare fossils from extinct elephants reveal the earliest evidence of human butchery in India, dating back 300,000 to 400,000 years. The discovery includes stone tools used to extract bone marrow, offering insight into early human behaviour in the region. These fossils, from the extinct elephant species Palaeoloxodon turkmenicu...
-
Ancient Humans Remained in Frigid Central Europe During Last Ice Age, New Study Reveals
A recent study has revealed that some ancient humans did not retreat from Central Europe during the last ice age. Instead, they adapted to the harsh conditions, similar to species like brown bears and wolves. Led by Oxala García-Rodríguez from Bournemouth University, the study utilised genetic data to show how humans thrived in frigid climates, w...
