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Most of the famous reptile fossils discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931 were fake.
of tridentinosaurus antique Previous interpretations suggested the rare presence of preserved soft tissue, making it an important specimen for understanding reptilian evolution.
Research published in paleontology Reanalyzing the findings using modern scientific methods reveals the truth. What was thought to be carbonized skin was actually black paint.
The discovery helps explain why this oddly preserved fossil has puzzled many experts.
Using microscopic analysis, researchers from Cork University found that the texture and composition of the fossil’s black outline did not match real fossilized soft tissue.
Author Dr Valentina Rossi says: “Fossil soft tissue is rare, but when found inside a fossil, it can reveal important biological information such as external coloration, internal anatomy, and physiology.
“The answers to all our questions were right in front of us. We had to study this fossil specimen in detail to uncover even the secrets we probably didn’t want to know.”
Using UV photography, the research team first determined that the specimen was covered in some kind of coating. However, given that varnishing or lacquering fossils was standard in the past, this wasn’t necessarily a red flag.
However, further analysis of the underlying material revealed a forgery.
Although poorly preserved, the researchers say the specimen contains fossil material such as bones and small scales called osteoderms.
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