Fossils
Buried deep beneath within the ground are the reminisce of the once- living: fossils. Whether animals or plants, if the conditions are correct, a fossil can be naturally preserved for millions of years. As a result, their geological imprint can provide palaeontologists with invaluable insights of the past. For example, Darwin’s theory of evolution has been refined and modified as fossil data has accumulated over the years.
Are there really dinosaurs in fossil fuel?
Is your car really powered by dinosaurs?
What is hallucigenia?
When scientists first studied the fossilised remains of this strange, spiky, worm-like creature, they couldn’t tell its ‘up’ from its ‘down’, or its front from its back.
Like modern humans, Homo naledi harnessed fire for light, warmth and cooking
Researchers excavating South Africa’s Rising Star Cave system have unearthed evidence that Homo naledi, an extinct species of hominid first discovered in 2013, built fires in underground chambers.
World’s oldest meal found in 550-million-year-old fossils
Australian researchers have found remnants of algae in the digestive systems of ocean-dwelling Paleozoic invertebrates.
Extinct prehistoric reptile that lived among dinosaurs discovered
This lizard-like reptile belongs to the same ancient lineage as New Zealand’s living tuatara.
Mummified baby mammoth unearthed by Canadian miners
The immaculately preserved specimen is "one of the most incredible mummified Ice Age animals ever discovered".
Newly discovered dinosaur has tiny arms like a T. rex – but the two species lived 20 million years apart
The researchers think the carnivorous Meraxes gigas may have used its arms for mating, not hunting.
How is coal formed?
It takes millions of years to create and as a non-renewable resource, there is only a finite amount.
Dinosaur fossils discovered from the day the asteroid hit Earth
The discovery could prove once and for all that an asteroid impact 66 million years ago wiped out the dinosaurs.
Does fossilised dinosaur poo exist?
Dino dung can provide direct evidence about what these prehistoric reptiles ate.
How long did it take dinosaur eggs to hatch?
Say you're opening a dinosaur theme park. How long would you have to incubate your eggs?
The Rutland ichthyosaur and 4 other incredible UK fossils
The UK's largest 'sea dragon' ichthyosaur was discovered in Rutland Water reservoir.
A perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo could link modern-day birds to dinosaurs
A groundbreaking discovery that could shed light on the nature of dinosaur eggs and the hatching process.
The story of two mammoths, preserved forever in a fight to the death
In this extract from Locked In Time, palaeontologist Dean Lomax describes the battle that killed two mammoths 12,000 years ago.
T. rex teens may have driven medium-sized dinosaur species extinct
New research suggests that as T. rex rose to dominance, their young took over the ecological role of middle-sized predators.
Instant Genius Podcast | The golden age of dinosaur discovery, with Prof Steve Brusatte
Palaeontologist Prof Steve Brusatte joins us on our brand new podcasts Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
Australia’s largest dinosaur is a newly discovered 30m-long titan
Australotitan cooperensis is believed to be among the 10-15 largest dinosaurs worldwide.
T. rex’s alligator-like jaw helped it to bite through bone
Previous research suggested this joint was flexible – similar to those seen in present-day snakes.
Could there be fossils on Mars?
Asked by: Emily Hunter, Leicester
How to hunt for fossils in the UK
Many of the UK's beaches are bursting with the remains of ancient life waiting to be found. Fossil-hunting is just one adventure you can enjoy from the book Slow Adventures.
Dinosaur frills were for attracting mates, not protection
These frills are made for flirting, and that's just what they'll do...
4,000-year-old beetle found in Natural History Museum collections
Climate change may have caused the species to become extinct in Britain.
Baby tyrannosaurs were the largest-ever hatchlings
Here's what researchers have learned about the size and weight of tyrannosaur embryo fossils.
Scientists discover 480-million-year-old 'missing link' in starfish evolution
The fossil species, discovered in the Anti-Atlas mountain range in Morocco, has an intricate design with feathery arms akin to a lacework.