The 280m-year-old fossil reptile, Tridentinosaurus antiquus, discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931, has been revealed as a forgery after modern imaging techniques uncovered that it is a carving covered in black paint. Dr. Valentina Rossi and her team used ultraviolet photography to expose the fake, highlighting a growing problem of counterfeit fossils in the market. They are calling for tighter regulations to protect the fossil record, including outlawing painting over fossils.
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.
A 280 million-year-old fossil, believed to be a well-preserved ancient reptile, has been revealed as a forgery, with black paint covering a couple of bones and carved rock. The fossil, known as Tridentinosaurus antiquus, was initially thought to provide insight into reptile evolution, but new research has uncovered the forgery. The revelation underscores the importance of reexamining old fossil specimens using advanced technological methods, and while the true nature of the bones and rock is being studied, it remains uncertain whether the forgery was intentional.
A 280 million-year-old fossil believed to be a well-preserved ancient reptile is revealed to be a forgery, with black paint covering a couple of bones and carved rock. The fossil, known as Tridentinosaurus antiquus, was initially discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931 and was thought to provide insight into early reptile evolution. However, new research using advanced techniques has uncovered the forgery, shedding light on the importance of reexamining old fossil specimens in museum collections.
A fossil reptile specimen from the Italian Alps, believed to be 280 million years old and important for understanding early reptile evolution, has been revealed to be partly a forgery after a new examination. The fossil, Tridentinosaurus antiquus, was thought to have preserved soft tissues, but it was found to be mostly black paint on a carved lizard-shaped rock surface. While the bones of the hindlimbs and tiny bony scales are genuine but poorly preserved, caution is now urged in using this specimen for future research.
A 280-million-year-old fossil, Tridentinosaurus antiquus, discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931 and thought to show preserved soft tissues, has been revealed to be partly a forgery with its body outline being painted. New research led by Dr. Valentina Rossi of University College Cork uncovered the deception, cautioning against its use in future studies. While the fossil's body outline is artificial, the bones of the hindlimbs and tiny bony scales called osteoderms are genuine, shedding light on the reptile's anatomy.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully tested a new communication system by sending laser messages back to Earth from even deeper space, while a North Carolina aquarium ponders the possibility of a shark impregnating a lone stingray. In medical news, a 13-year-old boy has been cured of a terminal brain tumor, offering hope for more effective treatments, and a 280-million-year-old fossil's "soft tissue" is revealed to be black paint. Additionally, Earth has received power beamed from a satellite in space for the first time, marking a significant step in renewable energy technology.
A 280 million-year-old reptilian fossil discovered in the Italian Alps, known as Tridentinosaurus antiquus, has been revealed to be a forgery due to the presence of bone-black paint creating the illusion of preserved soft tissue. The fossil, discovered in 1931, was believed to be a significant find for understanding early reptile evolution, but a recent analysis using advanced techniques concluded that the dark outline surrounding the skeleton is not genuine. This discovery highlights the importance of careful analysis and reporting of fossil finds to prevent misinformation and irreversible damage to specimens.
