Fossils

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Researchers at site 1951

Lost fossil 'treasure trove' rediscovered after 70 years

By Harry Baker published

Previous researchers were unable to record its exact coordinates.

Fossils
Even demon ducks had predators. Here, the giant "demon duck of doom" (Genyornis newtoni) flees its nest, pursued by the extinct lizard Megalania (Varanus priscus). Both species lived in Australia about 50,000 years ago.

'Demon ducks of doom' laid melon-size eggs in prehistoric Australia

By Joanna Thompson published

Melon-size eggs belonging to an extinct and flightless giant 'thunder bird' were eaten by the first Australians.

Fossils
The images show the impressions of a collapsed cell-wall covering (a coccosphere) on the surface of a fragment of ancient organic matter (left) with the individual plates (coccoliths) enlarged to show the exquisite preservation of sub-micron-scale structures (right). The blue image is inverted to give a virtual fossil cast, (i.e., to show the original three-dimensional form). The original plates have been removed from the sediment by dissolution, leaving behind only the ghost imprints.

'Ghost' fossils preserve haunting record of ancient life on a hellish Earth

By Joanna Thompson published

Ghostly imprints of very tiny "nannofossils" can offer a valuable window into our planet's past — and hint at its possible future.

Fossils
A computer-generated image of a megalodon with its mouth open.

6-year-old finds megalodon tooth on UK beach

By Patrick Pester published

A 6-year-old boy found a rare megalodon tooth on a beach in England, where such teeth are seldom found.

Fossils
An illustration of two trilobites (Olenoides serratus) mating on the seafloor during the Cambrian period, with the male (top) hugging the female below.

We finally know how trilobites mated, thanks to new fossils

By Laura Geggel published

An ancient trilobite fossil revealed that it had teensy claspers, which males likely used to "hug" females while mating.

Fossils
Author Chloe Gustafson and mountaineer Meghan Seifert installing a magnetotelluric station on the Whillans Ice Stream, West Antarctica.

'Giant MRI of Antarctica' reveals 'fossil seawater' under ice sheet

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Fossil seawater can be found in the depths of the aquifer.

Fossils
Reconstruction of Tomlinsonus dimitrii.

What has no eyes, walked on stilts and died in 'Paleo Pompeii'? This ancient weirdo.

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

An extinct arthropod with stilt-like limbs that lived during the Ordovician period was recently described from an exceptional fossil found in Canada.

Fossils
Newly discovered species of freshwater shrimp called Koonwarrella

100 million-year-old fairy shrimp reproduced without sex, rare fossils reveal

By Cameron Duke published

A newly discovered species of freshwater shrimp called Koonwarrella peterorum may have reproduced asexually via parthenogenesis.

Fossils
About 60% of Big John's skeletal remains were discovered. Here, you can see the Triceratops' entire skeleton after the restoration work was complete.

Big John, world's largest Triceratops, got mauled by a rival dinosaur, fossils suggest

By Laura Geggel published

A keyhole-shaped lesion found in the frill of Big John, the largest Triceratops skeleton ever found, may have been made by a rival Triceratops.

Fossils
An artist's impression of trilobites on the seafloor

World's oldest known case of cannibalism revealed in trilobite fossils

By Cameron Duke published

Injured trilobite fossils provide the oldest known evidence of cannibalism.

Fossils
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