Tag: Fossil

Fossil of Neanderthal child with Down syndrome fuels debate over species

A fossil of the inner ear of a six-year-old Neanderthal child that showed signs of Down syndrome seems to indicate that the ancient, now-extinct species were compassionate caregivers, according to a new study in the publication Science Advances. Archeologists in eastern Spain unearthed the fossil in 1989, which showed the complete inner ear anatomy of […]

Elected officials in sweltering US states prioritizing fossil fuel cash over people

Elected officials in states baking under sweltering temperatures – including Florida, Texas and Louisiana – are prioritizing their donors from planet-warming industries instead of protecting their constituents, advocates say. Florida has already seen unprecedented heat this year, with several cities breaking daily heat records this month. The state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, accepted over $1m […]

Ancient reptile fossil shines new light on early marine evolution

Scientists have discovered a 246 million-year-old marine reptile fossil, the oldest of its kind to be found in the Southern Hemisphere, shining a new light on the early evolution of marine mammals. The greatest mass extinction event in the fossil record – known as “The Great Dying” – occurred some 252 million years ago, wiping […]

Fossil Hunters in India Found What Could Be the Biggest Snake Ever Discovered

Two researchers discovered what may be the longest snake ever to have crawled across the continent when they uncovered the fossilized remains of a partial vertebral column in Western India. Measurements and calculations by the researchers determined the ancient snake, identified as Vasuki indicus, grew about longer than a school bus. A pair of biologists […]