China Fossils: 91 New Species Unearthed!

In a remarkable discovery, scientists in China have unearthed fossils representing over 150 distinct species, with 91 of them being entirely new to science. These ancient remnants were found within a single quarry in China's Hunan province and date back to approximately 512 million years ago. This period is significant as it immediately follows the Sinsk mass extinction event, a major die-off that occurred 513 million years ago.

The fossils, collectively named the Huayuan biota, are exceptional due to the high quality of their soft-tissue preservation. This allows researchers to observe delicate structures like gills, guts, and even nerves, providing a rare and detailed look at life in the oceans just after a significant extinction. The findings open a new window for understanding the aftermath of such catastrophic events in Earth's history.