"Study Reveals Ancient Reptile Fossil Was Falsely Altered with Paint"

A fossil believed to be a 280 million-year-old reptile species from the Permian period, discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931, has been revealed to be a forgery with most of the reptile's body being black paint applied to preserve a few bones embedded in the rock. The origins of the forgery remain unknown, but researchers hope to uncover the true identity of the animal underneath the paint. This discovery sheds light on the challenges of accurately identifying and preserving ancient fossils, and highlights the need for continued research and technological advancements in the field of paleontology.