A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists have unveiled one of the oldest fossils of Ichthyosaurs — an extinct marine reptile that thrived during the dinosaur age.

A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists have unveiled one of the oldest fossils of Ichthyosaurs — an extinct marine reptile that thrived during the dinosaur age. The fossils were discovered on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic and provide a deep insight into the species, with the potential to rewrite history. The scientists found 11 vertebrae and 15 bone fragments on the frigid-cold island, along a river channel. Afterwards, they conducted geochemical, computerised micro-tomographic and bone microstructural analyses and posited that the fish-like reptiles had evolved earlier than the world's first mass extinction event which took place nearly 252 million years ago. "The implications of this discovery are manifold, but most importantly indicate that the long-anticipated transitional ichthyosaur ancestor must have appeared much earlier than previously suspected," said Benjamin Kear, lead author of the study published in the journal Current Biology. The researchers, however, added the caveat that more fossils will be needed to confirm if the ichthyopterigians were swimming in the seas before the galactical doom. Read more: For the first time, 67-million-year-old T-Rex skeleton to be auctioned in Europe The earlier theory suggested that land-based reptiles with walking legs ventured into the open sea after the mass extinction event. Over time, the early amphibious reptiles became more efficient at swimming and modified their body parts such as limbs to flippers to become permanent sea-dwellers. The discovery of the fossils, however, disputes the theory. Scientists say the magnificent creatures predated the extinction event by more than 20 million years. According to studies, some of the Ichthyosaurs reached up to around 70 feet in length, rivalling some of Earth's largest whales. However, their genesis always remained a mystery before the recent discovery. While dinosaurs dominated the land, Ichthyosaurs stood on top of the food chain in the oceans. The domination in the marine habitat continued for over 160 million years. Read more: T-Rex dinosaur fossil named Stan sells for record-breaking $31.8 million (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Fossil discovery of THIS 250-million-year-old marine reptile could rewrite history

Scientists have unearthed the fossil of a bizarre creature in China dating back to 120 million years that has the head of a dinosaur and the body of a bird, further complicating the debate whether birds are the descendants of dinosaurs.

The fossil was excavated in northern China, and the scientists believe that this discovery would provide significant insights into the evolution of modern birds.

The creature named Cratonavis zhui had long shoulder blades and claws, and its large skull was almost identical to Tyrannosaurus rex and other meat-eating theropods, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The CAS researchers studied the fossil by scanning the skull with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning.

Using the digital versions of the mineralized bones, they reconstructed the shape and function of the skull as it was during the bird's life.

<img alt="Ancient Bird Fossil" src="https://www.sciencealert.com/images/2023/01/AncientBirdFossil.jpg" />

The result showed that the shape of the&nbsp;Cratonavis skull was similar to that of T-rex and not like birds.

In the avian branch of the dinosaur’s family tree, Cratonavis comes between the long-tailed&nbsp;Archaeopteryx, which was more like a reptile, and the&nbsp;Ornithothoraces, whose characteristics can be found in modern birds.

"The primitive cranial features speak to the fact that most Cretaceous birds such as&nbsp;Cratonavis&nbsp;could not move their upper bill independently with respect to the braincase and lower jaw, a functional innovation widely distributed among living birds that contribute to their enormous ecological diversity," CAS palaeontologist Zhiheng Li said, co-author of the study, said in a statement.

Co-author of the study Wang Min said that the peculiar nature of the scapula (bone in the shoulder) allowed Cratonavis to better rotate its wing, compensating for its underdeveloped flight capabilities.

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Scientists have unearthed the fossil of a bizarre creature in China dating back to 120 million years that has the head of a dinosaur and the body of a bird, further complicating the debate whether birds are the descendants of dinosaurs.

Scientists have unearthed the fossil of a bizarre creature in China dating back to 120 million years that has the head of a dinosaur and the body of a bird, further complicating the debate whether birds are the descendants of dinosaurs. The fossil was excavated in northern China, and the scientists believe that this discovery would provide significant insights into the evolution of modern birds. The creature named Cratonavis zhui had long shoulder blades and claws, and its large skull was almost identical to Tyrannosaurus rex and other meat-eating theropods, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The CAS researchers studied the fossil by scanning the skull with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning. Using the digital versions of the mineralized bones, they reconstructed the shape and function of the skull as it was during the bird's life. The result showed that the shape of the Cratonavis skull was similar to that of T-rex and not like birds. In the avian branch of the dinosaur’s family tree, Cratonavis comes between the long-tailed Archaeopteryx, which was more like a reptile, and the Ornithothoraces, whose characteristics can be found in modern birds. "The primitive cranial features speak to the fact that most Cretaceous birds such as Cratonavis could not move their upper bill independently with respect to the braincase and lower jaw, a functional innovation widely distributed among living birds that contribute to their enormous ecological diversity," CAS palaeontologist Zhiheng Li said, co-author of the study, said in a statement. Co-author of the study Wang Min said that the peculiar nature of the scapula (bone in the shoulder) allowed Cratonavis to better rotate its wing, compensating for its underdeveloped flight capabilities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Chinese researchers dig out fossil of bizarre creature that has bird’s body and dinosaur’s head

Palaeontologists in the United Kingdom after analysing fossil remains from over 100 million years ago, said that they might have found the first known “record of a dinosaur eating a mammal”. The fossil shows a small feathered dinosaur, known as a Microraptor, with the foot of an animal inside its ribcage.&nbsp;

The findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, on Tuesday, also suggest that the prey was a mammal the size of a mouse, lived on the ground and was not a good climber. Additionally, previous research also suggests that the three-toed Microraptor which could be the size of a small cat or crow was a carnivorous dinosaur discovered in western China.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/once-thought-to-be-fossil-death-bed-could-be-an-ancient-maternity-ward-says-study-544854">What was once thought to be marine reptile death bed could be an ancient maternity ward: Study</a>

The Microraptor existed between 125 and 113 million years ago and walked on two legs, while experts believe they were capable of guided flight. The fossil which was missing parts of its body but the rib cage was visible inside which was a tiny right foot, less than half an inch in size, was perfectly preserved.&nbsp;

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“It's so rare to find examples of food inside dinosaurs so every example is really important as it gives direct evidence of what they were eating,” said the first author of the study and palaeontologist at the Queen Mary University of London, Dr David Hone.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-archaeologists-excavate-ancient-jesus-midwife-tomb-544869">Israel: Archaeologists excavate ancient 'Jesus midwife' tomb</a>

The palaeontologist also noted, “While this mammal would absolutely not have been a human ancestor, we can look back at some of our ancient relatives being a meal for hungry dinosaurs.” The specimen in question also belongs to one of the smallest dinosaurs and was first described almost two decades ago, however, it was after a re-analysis that the foot bone was found within the raptor’s rib cage.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Palaeontologists in the United Kingdom after analysing fossil remains from over 100 million years ago, said that they might have found the first known “record of a dinosaur eating a mammal”.

Palaeontologists in the United Kingdom after analysing fossil remains from over 100 million years ago, said that they might have found the first known “record of a dinosaur eating a mammal”. The fossil shows a small feathered dinosaur, known as a Microraptor, with the foot of an animal inside its ribcage. The findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, on Tuesday, also suggest that the prey was a mammal the size of a mouse, lived on the ground and was not a good climber. Additionally, previous research also suggests that the three-toed Microraptor which could be the size of a small cat or crow was a carnivorous dinosaur discovered in western China. ALSO READ | What was once thought to be marine reptile death bed could be an ancient maternity ward: Study The Microraptor existed between 125 and 113 million years ago and walked on two legs, while experts believe they were capable of guided flight. The fossil which was missing parts of its body but the rib cage was visible inside which was a tiny right foot, less than half an inch in size, was perfectly preserved. ALSO WATCH | A 7-million-year-old fossil of a crocodile ancestor found in Peru “It's so rare to find examples of food inside dinosaurs so every example is really important as it gives direct evidence of what they were eating,” said the first author of the study and palaeontologist at the Queen Mary University of London, Dr David Hone. ALSO READ | Israel: Archaeologists excavate ancient 'Jesus midwife' tomb The palaeontologist also noted, “While this mammal would absolutely not have been a human ancestor, we can look back at some of our ancient relatives being a meal for hungry dinosaurs.” The specimen in question also belongs to one of the smallest dinosaurs and was first described almost two decades ago, however, it was after a re-analysis that the foot bone was found within the raptor’s rib cage. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists might have found ‘first record of a dinosaur eating a mammal’

What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth. The fossils found in the United States’ of Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest have puzzled scientists for a long time which led to several hypotheses over the years.&nbsp;

On Monday, in a study published in the journal, ‘Current Biology’ researchers offer a new theory which is linked to the reproductive behaviour shared by several marine mammals today. The scientific name for prehistoric reptiles is Shonisaurus popularis which means lizard fish and could grow at least 50 feet long.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-doctor-may-have-saved-a-babys-life-by-repairing-heart-using-umbilical-stem-cells-544689">In a first! Doctor may have saved a baby’s life by repairing heart using umbilical stem cells</a>

“We present evidence that these ichthyosaurs died here in large numbers because they were migrating to this area to give birth for many generations across hundreds of thousands of years,” said the co-author of the study and curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Nicholas Pyenson, in a press release.&nbsp;

The fossils were excavated in the 1950s and found at least 37 of the ancient creatures had died at the same location over 200 million years ago. For this study, the massive skeletons were 3D scanned to create a detailed digital model, said the lead author Randy Irmis, chief curator and curator of palaeontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-italy-fish-starved-from-lack-of-oxygen-535400">WION Climate Tracker | Italy: Fish starved from lack of oxygen</a>

Subsequently, they found that the bones were preserved in different rock layers suggesting that the creatures could have died hundreds of thousands of years apart rather than all at once, said Pyenson. He added that the discovery of some tiny bones among the massive adult fossils was the breakthrough in the study, as the researchers realised they belonged to embryos and newborns.&nbsp;

“There are other examples of ichthyosaur embryos and newborns, but this is the first time we have strong evidence for reproductive grouping behaviour,” said Irmis, in an emailed statement to CNN. This behaviour is also linked to present-day whales who typically migrate across the ocean, where there are fewer predators, to breed and give birth. It is also noted that many species gather year after year along the same coastline.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-nursery-used-by-hammerhead-sharks-found-near-galapagos-island-543859">New nursery used by hammerhead sharks found near Galapagos islands</a>

Researchers believe that the fossils are from the mothers and offspring that died there over the years, while other clues also helped rule out previous theories of a mass stranding event or ichthyosaurs being poisoned by the toxins from an algae bloom.&nbsp;

“We know this is something many large marine vertebrates exhibit in the present, so it makes sense that similar behaviour occurred in the past. But we really didn’t know how far back, especially with extinct animal groups like ichthyosaurs, that have no close living relatives,” said Irmis to CNN.&nbsp;

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What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth.

What was once thought to be a final resting place for dozens of giant marine reptiles, ichthyosaurs, which dominated the seas millions of years ago, could instead be an ancient maternity ward, a place where the prehistoric marine reptiles once gave birth. The fossils found in the United States’ of Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest have puzzled scientists for a long time which led to several hypotheses over the years. On Monday, in a study published in the journal, ‘Current Biology’ researchers offer a new theory which is linked to the reproductive behaviour shared by several marine mammals today. The scientific name for prehistoric reptiles is Shonisaurus popularis which means lizard fish and could grow at least 50 feet long. ALSO READ | In a first! Doctor may have saved a baby’s life by repairing heart using umbilical stem cells “We present evidence that these ichthyosaurs died here in large numbers because they were migrating to this area to give birth for many generations across hundreds of thousands of years,” said the co-author of the study and curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Nicholas Pyenson, in a press release. The fossils were excavated in the 1950s and found at least 37 of the ancient creatures had died at the same location over 200 million years ago. For this study, the massive skeletons were 3D scanned to create a detailed digital model, said the lead author Randy Irmis, chief curator and curator of palaeontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah. ALSO WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | Italy: Fish starved from lack of oxygen Subsequently, they found that the bones were preserved in different rock layers suggesting that the creatures could have died hundreds of thousands of years apart rather than all at once, said Pyenson. He added that the discovery of some tiny bones among the massive adult fossils was the breakthrough in the study, as the researchers realised they belonged to embryos and newborns. “There are other examples of ichthyosaur embryos and newborns, but this is the first time we have strong evidence for reproductive grouping behaviour,” said Irmis, in an emailed statement to CNN. This behaviour is also linked to present-day whales who typically migrate across the ocean, where there are fewer predators, to breed and give birth. It is also noted that many species gather year after year along the same coastline. ALSO READ | New nursery used by hammerhead sharks found near Galapagos islands Researchers believe that the fossils are from the mothers and offspring that died there over the years, while other clues also helped rule out previous theories of a mass stranding event or ichthyosaurs being poisoned by the toxins from an algae bloom. “We know this is something many large marine vertebrates exhibit in the present, so it makes sense that similar behaviour occurred in the past. But we really didn’t know how far back, especially with extinct animal groups like ichthyosaurs, that have no close living relatives,” said Irmis to CNN. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What was once thought to be marine reptile death bed could be an ancient maternity ward: Study

UK Universities ban climate wreckers fossil fuel companies for recruitment. Reportedly, the job seekers want an environment friendly careers. watch further to know more.

WION Climate Tracker | Fossil Fuel recruiters banned from UK Universities

A new study conducted by an international team of researchers may have cracked the secret regarding the diet of Earth’s oldest animals. The analysis of a fossil of Ediacaran biota, which is around 550 million years old, found traces of food which were consumed around 538 to 635 million years ago by animals. According to findings published in the Current Biology journal, the ancient fossil contained components of algae and bacteria generally found at the floor of an ocean.

Study co-author Prof Jochen Brocks, of the Australian National University, explained that the fossils used in the study were “some of the most important fossils in evolution because it’s the first time that life became big. They’re the oldest big fossils you can see with your eyes.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/rare-dinosaur-specimen-pulled-out-of-auction-after-questions-over-authenticity-536424">Rare Dinosaur skeleton pulled out of auction after questions over authenticity</a>

“Having a gut is very modern,” Brocks. Sponges, corals and jellyfish [for example], they do not have a normal gut that goes through the entire body,” he added according to The Guardian.

The fossils were part of a collection belonging to the main author of the study - Dr Ilya Bobrovskiy of GFZ-Potsdam – who found it in Russia. The Ediacaran biota “already contained some of the creatures that gave rise to the [Cambrian] explosion, to the rise of modern animals”, according to Bobrovskiy.

The study also supported a similar observation from scientists who found a network of modern sponges in rock samples going back almost 890 million years. While the dietary details were not included in the previous study, the observations regarding the species of existing animals are quite similar.

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A new study conducted by an international team of researchers may have cracked the secret regarding the diet of Earth’s oldest animals. The analysis of a fossil of Ediacaran biota, which is around 550 million years old, found traces of food which were consumed around 538 to 635 million years ago by animals.

A new study conducted by an international team of researchers may have cracked the secret regarding the diet of Earth’s oldest animals. The analysis of a fossil of Ediacaran biota, which is around 550 million years old, found traces of food which were consumed around 538 to 635 million years ago by animals. According to findings published in the Current Biology journal, the ancient fossil contained components of algae and bacteria generally found at the floor of an ocean. Study co-author Prof Jochen Brocks, of the Australian National University, explained that the fossils used in the study were “some of the most important fossils in evolution because it’s the first time that life became big. They’re the oldest big fossils you can see with your eyes.” Also read | Rare Dinosaur skeleton pulled out of auction after questions over authenticity “Having a gut is very modern,” Brocks. Sponges, corals and jellyfish [for example], they do not have a normal gut that goes through the entire body,” he added according to The Guardian. The fossils were part of a collection belonging to the main author of the study - Dr Ilya Bobrovskiy of GFZ-Potsdam – who found it in Russia. The Ediacaran biota “already contained some of the creatures that gave rise to the [Cambrian] explosion, to the rise of modern animals”, according to Bobrovskiy. The study also supported a similar observation from scientists who found a network of modern sponges in rock samples going back almost 890 million years. While the dietary details were not included in the previous study, the observations regarding the species of existing animals are quite similar.

What did animals eat around 550 million years ago? New study may have answers

Prehistoric waters were a dangerous place to have your Sunday swim. Not only there were predators, but there&nbsp;were huge predators. Before an asteroid wiped most of them off the face of the planet, dinosaurs were ruling almost every food chain and food web. Land, air and water, nothing could help you escape from these huge killing machines.

Now another, enormous 'saur' has been found in Morocco. Perhaps in a acknowledgement to the predator, its fossil has been found alongside that of its last meal.

The mosasaur, or the animal that has been found, lived 66 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. The announcement of discovery of the fossil has been made in the journal Cretaceous Research on August 24.

The mosasaur, or Thalassotitan atrox, was an apex predator in the oceans. It grew up to 40 feet in length

"Thalassotitan was an amazing, terrifying animal," said Dr. Nick Longrich, lead author of the study and senior lecturer from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath in a statement.

"Imagine a komodo dragon crossed with a great white shark crossed with a T. rex crossed with a killer whale," said Longrich as quoted by the Newsweek.

"They were wiped out by the asteroid impact, just like the dinosaurs," Longrich added.&nbsp;

"They seem to have been active, even warm-blooded animals, and this and their large size meant they needed a lot of food. When the debris from the asteroid blocked out the sun, photosynthesis shut down, plankton stopped growing, and the food chain just sort of fell apart. The marine ecosystem was hit extremely hard; a few sea turtles survived and sharks survived pretty well; most marine reptiles and big fish went extinct."

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Prehistoric waters were a dangerous place to have your Sunday swim. Not only there were predators, but there were huge predators. Before an asteroid wiped most of them off the face of the planet, dinosaurs were ruling almost every food chain and food web.

Prehistoric waters were a dangerous place to have your Sunday swim. Not only there were predators, but there were huge predators. Before an asteroid wiped most of them off the face of the planet, dinosaurs were ruling almost every food chain and food web. Land, air and water, nothing could help you escape from these huge killing machines. Now another, enormous 'saur' has been found in Morocco. Perhaps in a acknowledgement to the predator, its fossil has been found alongside that of its last meal. The mosasaur, or the animal that has been found, lived 66 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. The announcement of discovery of the fossil has been made in the journal Cretaceous Research on August 24. The mosasaur, or Thalassotitan atrox, was an apex predator in the oceans. It grew up to 40 feet in length "Thalassotitan was an amazing, terrifying animal," said Dr. Nick Longrich, lead author of the study and senior lecturer from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath in a statement. "Imagine a komodo dragon crossed with a great white shark crossed with a T. rex crossed with a killer whale," said Longrich as quoted by the Newsweek. "They were wiped out by the asteroid impact, just like the dinosaurs," Longrich added. "They seem to have been active, even warm-blooded animals, and this and their large size meant they needed a lot of food. When the debris from the asteroid blocked out the sun, photosynthesis shut down, plankton stopped growing, and the food chain just sort of fell apart. The marine ecosystem was hit extremely hard; a few sea turtles survived and sharks survived pretty well; most marine reptiles and big fish went extinct." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Scientists find fossil of giant sea monster Mosasaur next to its victim

A fossil of 550 million-year-old fossil, identified by scientists as 'earliest known animal predator' has been named after British naturalist and TV presenter Sir David Attenborough. The fossil was found in Charnwood Forest, near Leicester in northern England. The specimen has been named Auroralumina attenboroughii. The first part of the name is Latin for 'dawn lantern'. The fossil is from a trove found in 2007.

Phil Wilby from the British Geological Survey had visited Charnwoord forest in 2007 along with a group of palaeontologists. They were examining a site containing more than 1000 forests. To capture impression of the specimen of Auroralumina attenboroughii, the scientists took rubber mould of the rock surface.

They have determined the age of the fossil using radioactive minerals from the surrounding rock. The fossil belongs to the Ediacaran period

The animal is related to the cnidaria group, which includes sea anemones, jellyfish and corals, Wilby said, pushing the known existence of that group back by 20 million years.

"For the first time we're able to say at 560 million years ago there was a group of animals that looks just like modern animals that had skeletons, that were predators and that were colonial - there were lots of them living together," Wilby told BBC News on Monday (July 25).

"We know that the animal had a stalk and a cup and on top of that, or within that cup, was a polyp very much like a sea anemone with lots of little tentacles that were used to catch food." 
&nbsp;

A fossil of 550 million-year-old fossil, identified by scientists as 'earliest known animal predator' has been named after British naturalist and TV presenter Sir David Attenborough.

A fossil of 550 million-year-old fossil, identified by scientists as 'earliest known animal predator' has been named after British naturalist and TV presenter Sir David Attenborough. The fossil was found in Charnwood Forest, near Leicester in northern England. The specimen has been named Auroralumina attenboroughii. The first part of the name is Latin for 'dawn lantern'. The fossil is from a trove found in 2007. Phil Wilby from the British Geological Survey had visited Charnwoord forest in 2007 along with a group of palaeontologists. They were examining a site containing more than 1000 forests. To capture impression of the specimen of Auroralumina attenboroughii, the scientists took rubber mould of the rock surface. They have determined the age of the fossil using radioactive minerals from the surrounding rock. The fossil belongs to the Ediacaran period The animal is related to the cnidaria group, which includes sea anemones, jellyfish and corals, Wilby said, pushing the known existence of that group back by 20 million years. "For the first time we're able to say at 560 million years ago there was a group of animals that looks just like modern animals that had skeletons, that were predators and that were colonial - there were lots of them living together," Wilby told BBC News on Monday (July 25). "We know that the animal had a stalk and a cup and on top of that, or within that cup, was a polyp very much like a sea anemone with lots of little tentacles that were used to catch food."

'Earliest known animal predator' has been named after Sir David Attenborough

Electric buses built by a Chilean company are now operating in the world's top copper-producing nation, as the country seeks ways to reduce its use of fossil fuels and achieve its environmental goals.

Chile’s first electric bus factory aims to ease its reliance on fossil fuels

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe. The surprise find, which could be about 1.4 million years old, could also give vital clues to the evolution of the human face over the millennia, the team from the Atapuerca Foundation said, as reported by Reuters.

"The first week of July 2022 will enter the history of human evolution," the team added in a statement.

The fossilised fragment of an upper jaw and cheekbone was found near caves in the Atapuerca Mountains in northern Spain's Burgos province, the site of other ancient remains. The scientists said they were still working on identifying the specific kind of human ancestor and determining the bone's age.

José María Bermúdez de Castro, one of the team's coordinators, said, "What we can say is that we have found a fossil that's very important and interesting that belongs to one of the first populations that arrived in Europe, maybe later we will find older ones, but at this moment it is a sample of a representative of one of the oldest populations that colonised the European continent."

"We have to continue our research for about at least a year, it's a long time, and this is logical because this takes lots of time, and we will be able to tell whether we are before a representative of homo antecessor, or homo erectus, or something else that we do not know," Maria added.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe.

Archaeologists in Spain said on Friday they had found an ancient jawbone which could help them look into the face of some of the earliest human ancestors in Europe. The surprise find, which could be about 1.4 million years old, could also give vital clues to the evolution of the human face over the millennia, the team from the Atapuerca Foundation said, as reported by Reuters. "The first week of July 2022 will enter the history of human evolution," the team added in a statement. The fossilised fragment of an upper jaw and cheekbone was found near caves in the Atapuerca Mountains in northern Spain's Burgos province, the site of other ancient remains. The scientists said they were still working on identifying the specific kind of human ancestor and determining the bone's age. José María Bermúdez de Castro, one of the team's coordinators, said, "What we can say is that we have found a fossil that's very important and interesting that belongs to one of the first populations that arrived in Europe, maybe later we will find older ones, but at this moment it is a sample of a representative of one of the oldest populations that colonised the European continent." "We have to continue our research for about at least a year, it's a long time, and this is logical because this takes lots of time, and we will be able to tell whether we are before a representative of homo antecessor, or homo erectus, or something else that we do not know," Maria added. (with inputs from agencies)

Oldest human fossil found, could hold clues about Europe's earliest human ancestors

The latest research suggests that fossilised remains of humanity's oldest ancestors are one million years older than scientists had originally thought. In the past, Australopithecus fossils have been found at Sterkfontein caves at the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site southwest of Johannesburg.

The latest research suggests that fossilised remains of humanity's oldest ancestors are one million years older than scientists had originally thought. In the past, Australopithecus fossils have been found at Sterkfontein caves at the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site southwest of Johannesburg. The site had more Australopithecus fossils than any other site in the world. The most famous one, "Mrs Ples", was among them. Mrs Ples is the popular nickname for the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus ever found in South Africa in 1947. ALSO READ | Scientists develop AI that can gauge distress signals of baby chickens Previously, experts estimated that Mrs Ples and other fossils found at a similar depth of the cave were between 2.1 and 2.6 million years old. Now the previous measurements appear to be untrue. As per the new radioactive dating techniques, Mrs Ples, and the others discovered around her, are actually one million years older than thought. In the latest study, French scientist Laurent Bruxelles, noted that the "chronologically that didn't fit". Bruxelles is one of the authors of a study published Monday in the PNAS science journal. He told the news agency AFP, "It was bizarre to see some Australopithecus lasting for such a long time." ALSO READ | Research tells how online searches can predict cases of domestic violence Modern testing methods now suggest the group of early humans roamed the earth between 3.4 and 3.7 million years ago. Possibly, they walked the Earth around the same time as their East African relatives like the famous "Lucy". Around 2.2 million years ago the Homo habilis was already roaming the region. But there were no signs of Homo habilis at the depth of the cave where Mrs Ples was found. Homo habilis, is the earliest species of the Homo genus that includes Homo sapiens. (Wih inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fossilised remains of humanity's oldest ancestors one million years older than thought

Some of the leaders of the G7 rich democracies are pushing for an acknowledgement of the need for new financing for fossil energies investments as European states scramble to diversify supplies.

Global Energy Crisis: G7 leaders debate fossil fuel investment

Remains of Europe's largest dinosaur have been unearthed. Fossilised bones were found on the isle of Wight. Named the 'White Rock Spinosaurid' it lived 125 million years ago.

A dinosaur that lived 125 million years ago: Europe's largest dinosaur unearthed

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is leaving countries scrambling for gas. Now, the impact of fossil fuels on the climate shows that the LNG industry is worsening climate emissions.

Fossil fuel impact on the climate: LNG industry worsens climate emissions

A 7-million-year-old fossil of a crocodile ancestor has been found in Peru. Fossil will tell how modern crocodiles came to land. Watch this report.

A 7-million-year-old fossil of a crocodile ancestor found in Peru

Scientists claimed to have found a well-preserved fossil of a dinosaur leg touted to be from the time asteroid hit the Earth.

The limb of Thescelosaurus, covered with skin, was found at a fossil site in Tanis, North Dakota, 3,000kms away from the asteroid impact site in the Gulf of Mexico.

The British archaeologists, who have been working at the site, believe that it was killed and entombed around 66 million years ago when the asteroid rained down on the Earth, bringing an end to the era of dinosaurs.

The dig has been filmed for a BBC documentary Dinosaurs: The Final Day with Sir David Attenborough, who will review the fossil finds.

"It's a Thescelosaurus. It's from a group that we didn't have any previous record of what its skin looked like, and it shows very conclusively that these animals were very scaly, like lizards. They weren't feathered like their meat-eating contemporaries,” Prof Paul Barrett, a world-leading expert on herbivorous dinosaurs from London's Natural History Museum, told the BBC.

"This looks like an animal whose leg has simply been ripped off really quickly. There's no evidence on the leg of disease, there are no obvious pathologies, there's no trace of the leg being scavenged, such as bite marks or bits of it that are missing."

"So, the best idea that we have is that this is an animal that died more or less instantaneously."

The archaeologists also claimed to have discovered the fossilised remains of fish that breathed in debris from the asteroid.

Apart from that, the team also dug out a fossil turtle that was skewered by a wooden stake; the remains of small mammals and the burrows they made; skin from a horned triceratops; the embryo of a flying pterosaur inside its egg; and what appears to be a fragment from the asteroid impactor itself.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists claimed to have found a well-preserved fossil of a dinosaur leg touted to be from the time asteroid hit the Earth. The limb of Thescelosaurus, covered with skin, was found at a fossil site in Tanis, North Dakota, 3,000kms away from the asteroid impact site in the Gulf of Mexico.

Scientists claimed to have found a well-preserved fossil of a dinosaur leg touted to be from the time asteroid hit the Earth. The limb of Thescelosaurus, covered with skin, was found at a fossil site in Tanis, North Dakota, 3,000kms away from the asteroid impact site in the Gulf of Mexico. The British archaeologists, who have been working at the site, believe that it was killed and entombed around 66 million years ago when the asteroid rained down on the Earth, bringing an end to the era of dinosaurs. The dig has been filmed for a BBC documentary Dinosaurs: The Final Day with Sir David Attenborough, who will review the fossil finds. "It's a Thescelosaurus. It's from a group that we didn't have any previous record of what its skin looked like, and it shows very conclusively that these animals were very scaly, like lizards. They weren't feathered like their meat-eating contemporaries,” Prof Paul Barrett, a world-leading expert on herbivorous dinosaurs from London's Natural History Museum, told the BBC. "This looks like an animal whose leg has simply been ripped off really quickly. There's no evidence on the leg of disease, there are no obvious pathologies, there's no trace of the leg being scavenged, such as bite marks or bits of it that are missing." "So, the best idea that we have is that this is an animal that died more or less instantaneously." The archaeologists also claimed to have discovered the fossilised remains of fish that breathed in debris from the asteroid. Apart from that, the team also dug out a fossil turtle that was skewered by a wooden stake; the remains of small mammals and the burrows they made; skin from a horned triceratops; the embryo of a flying pterosaur inside its egg; and what appears to be a fragment from the asteroid impactor itself. (With inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists find ‘perfectly preserved’ fossil of dinosaur that was killed on the day asteroid hit Earth

Worms are mostly harmless. All they do is quietly&nbsp;go&nbsp;about their business&nbsp;and crawling around. But something about them gives everyone chills. Bravest among&nbsp;us have shrieked like crazy when a worm, however small, has landed&nbsp;on them out of nowhere.

We know that Earth history has crazy things involved. Forget dinosaurs, mother nature seemed to have given life to other monstrosities that may certainly have made modern human life hell.

Falls into this list a worm literally weighing 50 kg! Most modern-day snakes don't weigh as much. But hey,&nbsp;pre-historic world was a crazy place.&nbsp;

A fossil, being called that of the&nbsp;largest millipede ever has been found. Millipedes are the same worms who have probably a thousand small legs to crawl around. This one is a massive thing.

The fossil was found on a beach in Northumberland, UK. This millipede is called Arthropleura. This giant nightmare was more than 8 feet long and weighed about 50 kg. It crawled the Earth 326 million years ago.

The fossil segment was found in 2018 when a sandstone block fell on to a beach in Howick Bay. Dr Neil Davies, from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences says that discovery of the fossil was completely a 'fluke'. He has been quoted by BBC.

Researchers believe that the place where the fossil was found was part of a river channel millions of years ago.

It's probably good that the worm is a fossil. Nobody would like an 8-foot monster with spider-like legs crawling around.

Fun Fact: Scientists think that the fossil is not the worm itself but the exoskeleton it shed when it was growing even bigger!

Worms are mostly harmless. All they do is quietly go about their business and crawling around. But something about them gives everyone chills. Bravest among us have shrieked like crazy when a worm, however small, has landed on them out of nowhere.

Worms are mostly harmless. All they do is quietly go about their business and crawling around. But something about them gives everyone chills. Bravest among us have shrieked like crazy when a worm, however small, has landed on them out of nowhere. We know that Earth history has crazy things involved. Forget dinosaurs, mother nature seemed to have given life to other monstrosities that may certainly have made modern human life hell. Falls into this list a worm literally weighing 50 kg! Most modern-day snakes don't weigh as much. But hey, pre-historic world was a crazy place. A fossil, being called that of the largest millipede ever has been found. Millipedes are the same worms who have probably a thousand small legs to crawl around. This one is a massive thing. The fossil was found on a beach in Northumberland, UK. This millipede is called Arthropleura. This giant nightmare was more than 8 feet long and weighed about 50 kg. It crawled the Earth 326 million years ago. The fossil segment was found in 2018 when a sandstone block fell on to a beach in Howick Bay. Dr Neil Davies, from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences says that discovery of the fossil was completely a 'fluke'. He has been quoted by BBC. Researchers believe that the place where the fossil was found was part of a river channel millions of years ago. It's probably good that the worm is a fossil. Nobody would like an 8-foot monster with spider-like legs crawling around. Fun Fact: Scientists think that the fossil is not the worm itself but the exoskeleton it shed when it was growing even bigger!

Worm literally weighing 50 kg found, good thing it is a fossil now, eh?

Scientists seem&nbsp;to have finally fixed a fossil mix-up and analysed new bones excavated from the long-necked dinosaur Supersaurus' final resting spot. &nbsp;

Supersaurus, who is the longest dinosaur of the world, is a diplodocid. This long-necked sauropod has whip-like tail, which is too long. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/500-people-feel-sting-as-rare-storm-brings-scorpions-flood-in-egypt-429692" hreflang="en">500 people feel sting as rare storm brings scorpions’ flood in Egypt</a>

Earlier, Supersaurus was considered as one of longest dinosaurs. But now, the research shows that "this is the longest dinosaur based on a decent skeleton." It is because other dinosaurs’ remains are fragmentary, and it's challenging to accurately estimate their lengths, Brian Curtice, a paleontologist at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, who is spearheading the research, told ‘Live Science’. &nbsp;

About 150 million years ago, when Supersaurus was alive during the Jurassic period, it exceeded 128 feet (39 meters) and even reached 137 feet (42 m) from snout to tail, found the new research. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hell-heron-new-species-of-dinosaur-with-extremely-large-nose-discovered-428545" hreflang="en">'Hell heron': New species of dinosaur with extremely large nose discovered</a>

The research, which is not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented online recently at the annual conference of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. &nbsp;

According to a study of a specimen known as Seismosaurus in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin in 2006, the dinosaur, even at its "shorter" size of 128 feet, is record-breaking and would have been longer than another contender, Diplodocus, which could reach lengths of 108 feet (33 m). &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Scientists seem to have finally fixed a fossil mix-up and analysed new bones excavated from the long-necked dinosaur Supersaurus' final resting spot. Supersaurus, who is the longest dinosaur of the world, is a diplodocid.

Scientists seem to have finally fixed a fossil mix-up and analysed new bones excavated from the long-necked dinosaur Supersaurus' final resting spot. Supersaurus, who is the longest dinosaur of the world, is a diplodocid. This long-necked sauropod has whip-like tail, which is too long. Also Read: 500 people feel sting as rare storm brings scorpions’ flood in Egypt Earlier, Supersaurus was considered as one of longest dinosaurs. But now, the research shows that "this is the longest dinosaur based on a decent skeleton." It is because other dinosaurs’ remains are fragmentary, and it's challenging to accurately estimate their lengths, Brian Curtice, a paleontologist at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, who is spearheading the research, told ‘Live Science’. About 150 million years ago, when Supersaurus was alive during the Jurassic period, it exceeded 128 feet (39 meters) and even reached 137 feet (42 m) from snout to tail, found the new research. Also Read: 'Hell heron': New species of dinosaur with extremely large nose discovered The research, which is not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented online recently at the annual conference of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. According to a study of a specimen known as Seismosaurus in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin in 2006, the dinosaur, even at its "shorter" size of 128 feet, is record-breaking and would have been longer than another contender, Diplodocus, which could reach lengths of 108 feet (33 m). (With inputs from agencies)

Fixing fossil mix-up, scientists unearth longest dinosaur that ever lived on Earth

Scientists have recently discovered fossils in a South African cave that forms part of a hominid child's skull. The scientists said that it was left on an alcove by fellow members of her species 250,000 years ago.

Lee Berger, the scientist who led the project said, "The real mystery about this child is why she found where she was."

"Something amazing was going on in this cave 200,000-300,000 years ago."

The gender is not yet determined.

It is very rare that researchers find fossilised remains of children. This is because their bones are too thin and fragile to survive over aeons.

In this case, the child was probably four to six years old when it died, with baby teeth intact and adult teeth starting to emerge.&nbsp;

The newly found remains, including 28 skull fragments and six teeth were found even deeper in the cave complex. This is 12 meters away from the main find.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/were-dinosaurs-a-social-species-newly-discovered-fossils-suggests-they-lived-in-herds-423858">Also read |&nbsp;Were Dinosaurs a social species? Newly discovered fossils suggests they lived in herds</a>

Meanwhile, scientists discovered fossils on a vast fossil site in Patagonia, which suggests that some of the earliest dinosaurs lived in herds and that this behaviour may have been central to the dinosaurs' success. A significant part of the findings was based on the discovery of embryos of the same species inside fossilized eggs. These findings were reported in the journal Scientific Reports.

Scientists discovered a 190-million-year-old dinosaur nesting ground in the early 2000s, which also contained juvenile skeletons belonging to Mussaurus patagonicus, a primitive, herbivorous sauropodomorph dinosaur (forerunner of the large, long-necked dinosaurs) in Patagonia (Argentina).&nbsp;

"Such a preserved site was bound to provide us with a lot of information about how early dinosaurs lived," explained Diego Pol, the palaeontologist at CONICET who discovered the site.

Scientists have recently discovered fossils in a South African cave that forms part of a hominid child's skull. The scientists said that it was left on an alcove by fellow members of her species 250,000 years ago.

Scientists have recently discovered fossils in a South African cave that forms part of a hominid child's skull. The scientists said that it was left on an alcove by fellow members of her species 250,000 years ago. Lee Berger, the scientist who led the project said, "The real mystery about this child is why she found where she was." "Something amazing was going on in this cave 200,000-300,000 years ago." The gender is not yet determined. It is very rare that researchers find fossilised remains of children. This is because their bones are too thin and fragile to survive over aeons. In this case, the child was probably four to six years old when it died, with baby teeth intact and adult teeth starting to emerge. The newly found remains, including 28 skull fragments and six teeth were found even deeper in the cave complex. This is 12 meters away from the main find. Also read | Were Dinosaurs a social species? Newly discovered fossils suggests they lived in herds Meanwhile, scientists discovered fossils on a vast fossil site in Patagonia, which suggests that some of the earliest dinosaurs lived in herds and that this behaviour may have been central to the dinosaurs' success. A significant part of the findings was based on the discovery of embryos of the same species inside fossilized eggs. These findings were reported in the journal Scientific Reports. Scientists discovered a 190-million-year-old dinosaur nesting ground in the early 2000s, which also contained juvenile skeletons belonging to Mussaurus patagonicus, a primitive, herbivorous sauropodomorph dinosaur (forerunner of the large, long-necked dinosaurs) in Patagonia (Argentina). "Such a preserved site was bound to provide us with a lot of information about how early dinosaurs lived," explained Diego Pol, the palaeontologist at CONICET who discovered the site.

South Africa: Fossil discovered recently forms part of hominid child's skull

The new Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch is said to deliver fast application load times, highly responsive user experiences, and efficient power consumption, but does it deliver what it promises? Watch the review to know more.

Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch: How’s the new wearable?

China has set an ambitious goal of reducing fossil fuel use to under 20 per cent by 2060, reveals an official plan published by state media on Sunday.

The cabinet document talks about&nbsp;a pledge by President Xi Jinping to wean the world's biggest polluter off coal, with a target of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality 30 years later.

The authorities have also been looking to ramp up production as coal prices surge and supplies run low.

Guidelines published by China's official Xinhua news agency on Sunday laid out a host of targets in its path towards carbon neutrality.

These guidelines included the proportion of non-fossil fuel consumption reaching around 25 per cent of total energy use by 2030. By then, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP would have dropped by more than 65 per cent from 2005 levels.

The guidelines also highlighted an earlier aim for carbon emissions per unit of GDP to fall 18 per cent in 2025, from 2020 standards.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-aims-of-net-zero-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2060-423376">Also read |&nbsp;Saudi Arabia aims of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060</a>

Authorities have called for a shift in industrial structures, saying that they would "resolutely curb the blind development" of projects with high energy consumption and emissions.

The authorities also stressed the need for effective responses against economic and social risks that could come up with a low-carbon transition, and to "prevent overreaction and ensure safe carbon reduction".

The guidelines come as countries are gearing up for the Cop26 summit in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow in the next three weeks will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015.&nbsp;

He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

China has set an ambitious goal of reducing fossil fuel use to under 20 per cent by 2060, reveals an official plan published by state media on Sunday. The cabinet document talks about a pledge by President Xi Jinping to wean the world's biggest polluter off coal, with a target of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality 30 years later.

China has set an ambitious goal of reducing fossil fuel use to under 20 per cent by 2060, reveals an official plan published by state media on Sunday. The cabinet document talks about a pledge by President Xi Jinping to wean the world's biggest polluter off coal, with a target of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality 30 years later. The authorities have also been looking to ramp up production as coal prices surge and supplies run low. Guidelines published by China's official Xinhua news agency on Sunday laid out a host of targets in its path towards carbon neutrality. These guidelines included the proportion of non-fossil fuel consumption reaching around 25 per cent of total energy use by 2030. By then, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP would have dropped by more than 65 per cent from 2005 levels. The guidelines also highlighted an earlier aim for carbon emissions per unit of GDP to fall 18 per cent in 2025, from 2020 standards. Also read | Saudi Arabia aims of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 Authorities have called for a shift in industrial structures, saying that they would "resolutely curb the blind development" of projects with high energy consumption and emissions. The authorities also stressed the need for effective responses against economic and social risks that could come up with a low-carbon transition, and to "prevent overreaction and ensure safe carbon reduction". The guidelines come as countries are gearing up for the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. Meanwhile, the UK president-designate of the Cop26 talks, Alok Sharma, has said that achieving a global climate deal in Glasgow in the next three weeks will be harder than signing the Paris agreement of 2015. He further said that the task would be to get nearly 200 countries to implement stringent cuts to their greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind the increase in global temperature to within 1.5C of pre-industrial levels.

China aims to cut fossil energy use to below 20 per cent by 2060

A crab, which was preserved in a 100-million-year-old amber and lived among dinosaurs, has been&nbsp;revealed by scientists to be the world's oldest known aquatic animal.

Previously, paleontologists have found tantalising details about the fossils that trap lizards, insects, spiders, and dinosaurs.

According to Javier Luque, a researcher in the Department of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, ''The specimen is spectacular, it is one of a kind. It's absolutely complete and is not missing a single hair on the body, which is remarkable.''

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-surgeons-attached-a-pig-kidney-to-a-human-and-it-worked-422281" hreflang="en">In a first, surgeons attached a pig kidney to a human — and it worked</a>

The ancestor of the red crabs is being called the 'missing link' in evolution. The crustacean is officially called Cretapsara athanata as per the study published in the journal Science Advances.

Referring to its lifelike preservation, the term 'athanata' means immortal in Greek.

Fossils lodged in amber have always fascinated scientists who are eager to find them intact.

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Luque said that ''In a way, it’s like finding a shrimp in amber. Talk about the wrong place, wrong time. If we were to reconstruct the crabtree of life — putting together a genealogical family tree — and do some molecular DNA analysis, the prediction is that nonmarine crabs split from their marine ancestors more than 125 million years ago.''

It had a semi-aquatic lifestyle, that is, it neither dwelled on land or water. But it lived on the forest floor or freshwater, which is extremely rare.

During the dinosaur era, it made a leap from sea to land. Although non-marine crabs evolved 50 million years ago, this animal is twice that age which makes it uniques.

A crab, which was preserved in a 100-million-year-old amber and lived among dinosaurs, has been revealed by scientists to be the world's oldest known aquatic animal.

A crab, which was preserved in a 100-million-year-old amber and lived among dinosaurs, has been revealed by scientists to be the world's oldest known aquatic animal. Previously, paleontologists have found tantalising details about the fossils that trap lizards, insects, spiders, and dinosaurs. According to Javier Luque, a researcher in the Department of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, ''The specimen is spectacular, it is one of a kind. It's absolutely complete and is not missing a single hair on the body, which is remarkable.'' Also read | In a first, surgeons attached a pig kidney to a human — and it worked The ancestor of the red crabs is being called the 'missing link' in evolution. The crustacean is officially called Cretapsara athanata as per the study published in the journal Science Advances. Referring to its lifelike preservation, the term 'athanata' means immortal in Greek. Fossils lodged in amber have always fascinated scientists who are eager to find them intact. Also read | Viral infections could promote Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease: Report Luque said that ''In a way, it’s like finding a shrimp in amber. Talk about the wrong place, wrong time. If we were to reconstruct the crabtree of life — putting together a genealogical family tree — and do some molecular DNA analysis, the prediction is that nonmarine crabs split from their marine ancestors more than 125 million years ago.'' It had a semi-aquatic lifestyle, that is, it neither dwelled on land or water. But it lived on the forest floor or freshwater, which is extremely rare. During the dinosaur era, it made a leap from sea to land. Although non-marine crabs evolved 50 million years ago, this animal is twice that age which makes it uniques.

Oldest aquatic animal gets fossilised in 100-million-year-old amber

In yet another remarkable discovery, a group of scientists has uncovered the fossil of a yet-unkown species of eagle from 25 million years ago.<o:p></o:p>

The group of researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide found several bone fragments by a dry lake. Scientists believe these remains belong to an ancient hawk called Archaehierax sylvestris.<o:p></o:p>

Like other eagles, this species too survived by preying on possums and koalas, and it was also able to catch low-flying birds. Since this species of hawk was usually found in the forest, the eagle had trained itself and adapted to fly and hunt in the forest area.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-vitamin-a-help-in-treating-covid-resulted-loss-of-smell-experts-answer-416845">Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-resulted loss of smell? Experts answer</a></o:p>

These species had short but strong wings, longer legs and a wide foot-span. These eagles were small in number at that time too so finding remains of these is very rare.<o:p></o:p>

“It’s rare to find even one bone from a fossil eagle. To have most of the skeleton is&nbsp;pretty exciting, especially considering how old it is,” Associate Professor Trevor Worthy said.

<o:p></o:p>
<img alt="Photo credit: Flinders University" data-caption="Photo credit: Flinders University" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0e0ac732-0465-4bbd-9aa1-47ad08da4d3c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Eagle%20species.jpg" />
&nbsp;

<o:p></o:p>

These remains were found at the archaeological site in Lake Pinpa, a dried salt lake in the desert in south Australia.<o:p></o:p>

“This species was slightly smaller and leaner than the wedge-tailed eagle, but it’s the largest eagle known from this time period in Australia,” says Flinders University PhD candidate Ellen Mather, first author in the&nbsp;new paper in&nbsp;Historical Biology. “The&nbsp;foot span was nearly 15 cm long, which would have allowed it to grasp large prey.&nbsp;The largest marsupial predators at the time were about the size of a small dog&nbsp;or large cat, so&nbsp;Archaehierax&nbsp;(pron. ah-kay-high-rax) was certainly&nbsp;ruling the roost.”<o:p></o:p>

The fact that skeleton was almost completely preserved helped the researchers place the species properly in the eagle family tree.<o:p></o:p>

“The completeness of the skeleton allowed us to determine where it fits on the eagle family tree. It shows a range of features unlike any seen among modern hawks and eagles,” Mather explained. “We found that Archaehierax didn’t belong to any of the living genera or families. It seems to have been&nbsp;its own unique branch of the eagle family,” she says. “It’s unlikely to be a direct ancestor to any species alive today.”<o:p></o:p>

In yet another remarkable discovery, a group of scientists has uncovered the fossil of a yet-unkown species of eagle from 25 million years ago. The group of researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide found several bone fragments by a dry lake.

In yet another remarkable discovery, a group of scientists has uncovered the fossil of a yet-unkown species of eagle from 25 million years ago. The group of researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide found several bone fragments by a dry lake. Scientists believe these remains belong to an ancient hawk called Archaehierax sylvestris. Like other eagles, this species too survived by preying on possums and koalas, and it was also able to catch low-flying birds. Since this species of hawk was usually found in the forest, the eagle had trained itself and adapted to fly and hunt in the forest area. Also read | Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-resulted loss of smell? Experts answer These species had short but strong wings, longer legs and a wide foot-span. These eagles were small in number at that time too so finding remains of these is very rare. “It’s rare to find even one bone from a fossil eagle. To have most of the skeleton is pretty exciting, especially considering how old it is,” Associate Professor Trevor Worthy said. These remains were found at the archaeological site in Lake Pinpa, a dried salt lake in the desert in south Australia. “This species was slightly smaller and leaner than the wedge-tailed eagle, but it’s the largest eagle known from this time period in Australia,” says Flinders University PhD candidate Ellen Mather, first author in the new paper in Historical Biology. “The foot span was nearly 15 cm long, which would have allowed it to grasp large prey. The largest marsupial predators at the time were about the size of a small dog or large cat, so Archaehierax (pron. ah-kay-high-rax) was certainly ruling the roost.” The fact that skeleton was almost completely preserved helped the researchers place the species properly in the eagle family tree. “The completeness of the skeleton allowed us to determine where it fits on the eagle family tree. It shows a range of features unlike any seen among modern hawks and eagles,” Mather explained. “We found that Archaehierax didn’t belong to any of the living genera or families. It seems to have been its own unique branch of the eagle family,” she says. “It’s unlikely to be a direct ancestor to any species alive today.”

Scientists unearth fossils of rare Eagle species that lived 25 million years ago

A fossil, originally found in outback Queensland almost ten years ago, has been revealed by researchers to be the largest kind of pterosaur ever found in Australia.

Researchers uncover Australia's largest flying reptile

Fossil Gen 5E: Rs 18,495&nbsp;

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			&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Pros&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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			&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cons&nbsp;
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				Great buy under Rs 20,000&nbsp;
				</li>
				<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem">
				Looks premium&nbsp;
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				Great user interface&nbsp;
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				<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem">
				Smaller size (42mm) available&nbsp;
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				No SPO2 sensor&nbsp;
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&nbsp;

Have you noticed people's wrists lately? Expensive wristwatches and jewellery have been replaced by trendy, functional smartwatches and fitness bands. Gone are the days when a high-end timepiece or sparkling diamonds were highly coveted. Now, the sparkle has been replaced by the little 'foot' as I call it. Everyone is tracking steps!&nbsp;

In a market brimming with options for all wallets, Fossil offers its Gen 5E smartwatch, the newest addition to its Gen 5 smartwatches. The company says it's more "affordable" at Rs 18,495. While this is more expensive than what plenty of other brands are offering under Rs 10,000, let’s see if this new watch is a bang for your buck.&nbsp;

How does it look?&nbsp;

No one is going to buy a watch that promises the world but looks clunky on the wrist. The Fossil Gen 5E comes in two sizes, 44mm and 42mm. I strapped on the 42mm with the delicate pink strap. The bling encircling the crown will add a nice touch only if you're into bling, else stop reading this review because if you're not a bling-lover, you won't be interested in this watch.&nbsp;

The 1.19-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers plenty of real estate to view notifications and the display leaves no room for complaints, even in bright daylight. What I did miss was the rotating crown found in more expensive Fossil smartwatches. &nbsp;

What I do love are the slim bezels, which give it the looks of a premium watch. It's light and easy to strap on and won't weigh your wrist down.&nbsp;

Pro tip: if you're going to use it during workout, ditch the fancy metal straps and opt for silicone straps which you will have to buy separately. Perhaps, the brand should've thrown in a pair in the box?&nbsp;

How does it perform?&nbsp;

Before I get into a nauseating list of features and specifications, let’s be frank, you'll be using this to track fitness and health metrics along with some notifications because that's what most smartwatch users do. The processor here is a slightly older one from Snapdragon possibly to save costs and that doesn't always have to be a bad thing. The watch is responsive and quick in performing most tasks without any lag. The user interface is easy to get accustomed to ONLY AND ONLY IF you're a Google WearOS user.&nbsp;

As someone, who is hooked to her Apple Watch perpetually, I did face some issues in shifting to Google WearOS but given the huge price difference between iOS and WearOS gadgets, one can't complain.&nbsp;

What I found lacking surprisingly in the age of COVID-19, was the lack of an SPO2 or blood-oxygen sensor. At nearly Rs 19,000, Fossil should have added this feature to its bag of offerings.&nbsp;

Can you track your fitness goals?&nbsp;

Well, if you're particular about hitting that 10K step count, daily activity can be tracked easily. But remember this, no matter which smartwatch you strap on, always underestimate the step count! You will need to sync the watch with the Google Fit app for a curated health analysis featuring sleep metrics, heart rate, cardio health, and step count.&nbsp;

Is the watch independent of the smartphone? Yes and no. You can receive calls on the watch but the sound quality isn't great.&nbsp;

Here's some good news -- this watch is splash-proof so, feel free to go for a run in the rain with it.&nbsp;

How long will it last?&nbsp;

Fossil doesn't say much about the watch's battery life except that it comes with smart battery modes to extend the watch's use. So, like all smartwatches, it will depend on your use. I wear my smartwatch from the moment I wake up to the time I hit the snooze button. So, for me, the watch lasted for around 10 hours, which is in line with expectations at this price point. Of course, it could have been better.&nbsp;

Is the Fossil Gen 5E for you?&nbsp;

If you're a Google WearOS user and are looking for a good-looking smartwatch under Rs 20,000, then the Fossil Gen 5E offers plenty of features without putting an extra burden on your wallet. However, at this price point, the SPO2 sensor is a must and the watch misses out on that. But if that's not something you need, then this watch looks premium and is a great addition on your wrist.&nbsp;

Fossil Gen 5E Specifications&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Powered by Google Wearos&nbsp;</li>
	<li>4 GB storage&nbsp;</li>
	<li>1 GB RAM&nbsp;</li>
	<li>300 mAh battery&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Water-resistant up to 3ATM&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Fossil Gen 5E: Rs 18,495 Pros Cons Great buy under Rs 20,000 Looks premium Great user interface Smaller size (42mm) available No SPO2 sensor Have you noticed people's wrists lately?

Fossil Gen 5E: Rs 18,495 Pros Cons Great buy under Rs 20,000 Looks premium Great user interface Smaller size (42mm) available No SPO2 sensor Have you noticed people's wrists lately? Expensive wristwatches and jewellery have been replaced by trendy, functional smartwatches and fitness bands. Gone are the days when a high-end timepiece or sparkling diamonds were highly coveted. Now, the sparkle has been replaced by the little 'foot' as I call it. Everyone is tracking steps! In a market brimming with options for all wallets, Fossil offers its Gen 5E smartwatch, the newest addition to its Gen 5 smartwatches. The company says it's more "affordable" at Rs 18,495. While this is more expensive than what plenty of other brands are offering under Rs 10,000, let’s see if this new watch is a bang for your buck. How does it look? No one is going to buy a watch that promises the world but looks clunky on the wrist. The Fossil Gen 5E comes in two sizes, 44mm and 42mm. I strapped on the 42mm with the delicate pink strap. The bling encircling the crown will add a nice touch only if you're into bling, else stop reading this review because if you're not a bling-lover, you won't be interested in this watch. The 1.19-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers plenty of real estate to view notifications and the display leaves no room for complaints, even in bright daylight. What I did miss was the rotating crown found in more expensive Fossil smartwatches. What I do love are the slim bezels, which give it the looks of a premium watch. It's light and easy to strap on and won't weigh your wrist down. Pro tip: if you're going to use it during workout, ditch the fancy metal straps and opt for silicone straps which you will have to buy separately. Perhaps, the brand should've thrown in a pair in the box? How does it perform? Before I get into a nauseating list of features and specifications, let’s be frank, you'll be using this to track fitness and health metrics along with some notifications because that's what most smartwatch users do. The processor here is a slightly older one from Snapdragon possibly to save costs and that doesn't always have to be a bad thing. The watch is responsive and quick in performing most tasks without any lag. The user interface is easy to get accustomed to ONLY AND ONLY IF you're a Google WearOS user. As someone, who is hooked to her Apple Watch perpetually, I did face some issues in shifting to Google WearOS but given the huge price difference between iOS and WearOS gadgets, one can't complain. What I found lacking surprisingly in the age of COVID-19, was the lack of an SPO2 or blood-oxygen sensor. At nearly Rs 19,000, Fossil should have added this feature to its bag of offerings. Can you track your fitness goals? Well, if you're particular about hitting that 10K step count, daily activity can be tracked easily. But remember this, no matter which smartwatch you strap on, always underestimate the step count! You will need to sync the watch with the Google Fit app for a curated health analysis featuring sleep metrics, heart rate, cardio health, and step count. Is the watch independent of the smartphone? Yes and no. You can receive calls on the watch but the sound quality isn't great. Here's some good news -- this watch is splash-proof so, feel free to go for a run in the rain with it. How long will it last? Fossil doesn't say much about the watch's battery life except that it comes with smart battery modes to extend the watch's use. So, like all smartwatches, it will depend on your use. I wear my smartwatch from the moment I wake up to the time I hit the snooze button. So, for me, the watch lasted for around 10 hours, which is in line with expectations at this price point. Of course, it could have been better. Is the Fossil Gen 5E for you? If you're a Google WearOS user and are looking for a good-looking smartwatch under Rs 20,000, then the Fossil Gen 5E offers plenty of features without putting an extra burden on your wallet. However, at this price point, the SPO2 sensor is a must and the watch misses out on that. But if that's not something you need, then this watch looks premium and is a great addition on your wrist. Fossil Gen 5E Specifications Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor Powered by Google Wearos 4 GB storage 1 GB RAM 300 mAh battery Water-resistant up to 3ATM

Fossil's new smartwatch review: Bang for your buck?

Experts have discovered remains of a new species of dinosaur in Argentina, known as “Llukalkan aliocranianus”.

Llukalkan is from the Mapuche language and translates to “the one who causes fear” and ‘aliocranianus’ is Latin for “unusual skull“.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-great-barrier-reef-doomed-as-up-to-99-of-coral-at-risk-report-finds-374881" hreflang="en">The Great Barrier Reef doomed as up to 99% of coral at risk, report finds</a>

This dinosaur existed 80 million years ago and belonged to the abelisaurids family — a group of carnivorous predators during the Cretaceous period.

The creature is similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex with tiny arms and large hind legs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/past-ice-melts-may-be-responsible-for-sea-levels-to-rise-10-times-faster-than-today-study-374807" hreflang="en">Past ice melts may be responsible for sea levels to rise 10 times faster than today: Study</a>

Skulls of these dinosaurs are unusual and had crests, horns and other protuberances. The skull of this dinosaur has been termed similar to those of iguana.

Through the analysis of the skull, experts have also concluded that this species of dinosaurs may have had a greater and better sense of hearing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-discover-previously-unknown-ancient-crater-lake-on-mars-374800" hreflang="en">Astronomers discover previously unknown ancient crater lake on Mars</a>

“A peculiarity of this dinosaur is that it has cavities in the ear area that other abelisaurids did not have, which could have given this species different auditory capacities, possibly a greater hearing range,” Federico Gianechin, one of the lead authors of the study told CNN. “This, together with its keen sense of smell, would have given great capabilities as a predator to this species.”

The remains were found in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which is a body of rock in Argentina’s Rio Negro and Neuquén provinces.

Experts have discovered remains of a new species of dinosaur in Argentina, known as “Llukalkan aliocranianus”. Llukalkan is from the Mapuche language and translates to “the one who causes fear” and ‘aliocranianus’ is Latin for “unusual skull“.

Experts have discovered remains of a new species of dinosaur in Argentina, known as “Llukalkan aliocranianus”. Llukalkan is from the Mapuche language and translates to “the one who causes fear” and ‘aliocranianus’ is Latin for “unusual skull“. Also read | The Great Barrier Reef doomed as up to 99% of coral at risk, report finds This dinosaur existed 80 million years ago and belonged to the abelisaurids family — a group of carnivorous predators during the Cretaceous period. The creature is similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex with tiny arms and large hind legs. Also read | Past ice melts may be responsible for sea levels to rise 10 times faster than today: Study Skulls of these dinosaurs are unusual and had crests, horns and other protuberances. The skull of this dinosaur has been termed similar to those of iguana. Through the analysis of the skull, experts have also concluded that this species of dinosaurs may have had a greater and better sense of hearing. Also read | Astronomers discover previously unknown ancient crater lake on Mars “A peculiarity of this dinosaur is that it has cavities in the ear area that other abelisaurids did not have, which could have given this species different auditory capacities, possibly a greater hearing range,” Federico Gianechin, one of the lead authors of the study told CNN. “This, together with its keen sense of smell, would have given great capabilities as a predator to this species.” The remains were found in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which is a body of rock in Argentina’s Rio Negro and Neuquén provinces.

One who causes fear: New species of dinosaur found in Argentina

A fossil assumed to be a toe bone of a dinosaur dating back to 120 million years has been discovered on a western island, the city government of Ansan said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The city government of Ansan, southwest of Seoul, said the 4.5-centimetre-long fossil was found by a citizen on&nbsp;Daebu&nbsp;Island last month, Yonhap news agency reported.&nbsp;

It is believed to have belonged to a plant-eating basal ceratopsian dinosaur known as&nbsp;Koreaceratops, which existed on the Korean Peninsula about 120 million years ago during the Albian age.&nbsp;

The phalanx fossil was almost perfectly preserved, officials said.&nbsp;

The city government reported the finding to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) in the country.&nbsp;

The CHA views the remains as having academic value and plans to send it to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage for a more detailed study.&nbsp;

In 2000, five dinosaur footprints, likely left about 100 million years ago, were found at a quarry on the island.&nbsp;

A fossil assumed to be a toe bone of a dinosaur dating back to 120 million years has been discovered on a western island, the city government of Ansan said on Wednesday.

A fossil assumed to be a toe bone of a dinosaur dating back to 120 million years has been discovered on a western island, the city government of Ansan said on Wednesday. The city government of Ansan, southwest of Seoul, said the 4.5-centimetre-long fossil was found by a citizen on Daebu Island last month, Yonhap news agency reported. It is believed to have belonged to a plant-eating basal ceratopsian dinosaur known as Koreaceratops, which existed on the Korean Peninsula about 120 million years ago during the Albian age. The phalanx fossil was almost perfectly preserved, officials said. The city government reported the finding to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) in the country. The CHA views the remains as having academic value and plans to send it to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage for a more detailed study. In 2000, five dinosaur footprints, likely left about 100 million years ago, were found at a quarry on the island.

Dinosaur toe bone found in South Korea

Sophisticated scanning technology is revealing intriguing secrets about Little Foot, the remarkable fossil of an early human forerunner that inhabited South Africa 3.67 million years ago during a critical juncture in our evolutionary history.

"Little Foot" fossil scans shed new light on early humans

Sophisticated scanning technology is revealing intriguing secrets about Little Foot, the remarkable fossil of an early human forerunner that inhabited South Africa 3.67 million years ago during a critical juncture in our evolutionary history.&nbsp;

Scientists said on Tuesday they examined key parts of the nearly complete and well-preserved fossil at Britain's national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source. The scanning focused upon Little Foot's cranial vault - the upper part of her braincase - and her lower jaw, or mandible.&nbsp;

The researchers gained insight not only into the biology of Little Foot's species but also into the hardships that this individual, an adult female, encountered during her life.&nbsp;

Little Foot's species blended ape-like and human-like traits and is considered a possible direct ancestor of humans. University of the Witwatersrand paleoanthropologist Ron Clarke, who unearthed the fossil in the 1990s in the Sterkfontein Caves northwest of Johannesburg and is a co-author of the new study, has identified the species as Australopithecus prometheus.&nbsp;

"In the cranial vault, we could identify the vascular canals in the spongious bone that are probably involved in brain thermoregulation - how the brain cools down," said University of Cambridge paleoanthropologist Amélie Beaudet, who led the study published in the journal e-Life.&nbsp;

"This is very interesting as we did not have much information about that system," Beaudet added, noting that it likely played a key role in the threefold brain size increase from Australopithecus to modern humans.&nbsp;

Little Foot's teeth also were revealing.&nbsp;

"The dental tissues are really well preserved. She was relatively old since her teeth are quite worn," Beaudet said, though Little Foot's precise age has not yet been determined.&nbsp;

The researchers spotted defects in the tooth enamel indicative of two childhood bouts of physiological stress, such as disease or malnutrition.&nbsp;

Sophisticated scanning technology is revealing intriguing secrets about Little Foot, the remarkable fossil of an early human forerunner that inhabited South Africa 3.

Sophisticated scanning technology is revealing intriguing secrets about Little Foot, the remarkable fossil of an early human forerunner that inhabited South Africa 3.67 million years ago during a critical juncture in our evolutionary history. Scientists said on Tuesday they examined key parts of the nearly complete and well-preserved fossil at Britain's national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source. The scanning focused upon Little Foot's cranial vault - the upper part of her braincase - and her lower jaw, or mandible. The researchers gained insight not only into the biology of Little Foot's species but also into the hardships that this individual, an adult female, encountered during her life. Little Foot's species blended ape-like and human-like traits and is considered a possible direct ancestor of humans. University of the Witwatersrand paleoanthropologist Ron Clarke, who unearthed the fossil in the 1990s in the Sterkfontein Caves northwest of Johannesburg and is a co-author of the new study, has identified the species as Australopithecus prometheus. "In the cranial vault, we could identify the vascular canals in the spongious bone that are probably involved in brain thermoregulation - how the brain cools down," said University of Cambridge paleoanthropologist Amélie Beaudet, who led the study published in the journal e-Life. "This is very interesting as we did not have much information about that system," Beaudet added, noting that it likely played a key role in the threefold brain size increase from Australopithecus to modern humans. Little Foot's teeth also were revealing. "The dental tissues are really well preserved. She was relatively old since her teeth are quite worn," Beaudet said, though Little Foot's precise age has not yet been determined. The researchers spotted defects in the tooth enamel indicative of two childhood bouts of physiological stress, such as disease or malnutrition.

'Little Foot' fossil's elaborate study sheds light on human origins 

A 38-year-old beach lover&nbsp;Jodie Crews and her eight-year-old&nbsp;daughter Isabella decided to bring back a unique find from their trip to the beach, only to later realise it was not what they thought it to be.

The Crews found a peculiar-looking thing on the beach and brought it back home assuming it to be some kind of fossil or a bone. Jodie took to social media to ask her friends if they could identify what their rare find was and from which period.&nbsp;

A friend suggested it to be 'whale vomit' and asked the duo to poke it with a hot pin to see if it let out a "puff of white smoke" which could confirm it being 'whale vomit'.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/banksys-achoo-causes-distress-for-property-owners-349960" hreflang="en">Banksy's 'Achoo' causes distress for property owners</a>

However, when the mother-daughter duo followed their friend's advice, the outer portion of the object started melting and soon turned hot, making sizzling sounds. As soon as Jodie saw the object turning into a fireball, she grabbed the grenade and ran towards the kitchen where she placed it in the sink.&nbsp;

The grenade soon exploded causing destruction in and around the kitchen sink. Recalling the event, Jodie Crews said, "It just turned into a fireball. My daughter screamed and ran out the back door. I grabbed the grenade and ran with it at arm’s length into the kitchen where I hurled it into the sink. We just went into survival mode."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/beer-can-camera-captures-longest-exposure-photograph-ever-by-coincidence-349897" hreflang="en">Beer can camera captures longest-exposure photograph ever - by coincidence!</a>

"I then rushed upstairs to soak a towel to throw over it to put it out. The adrenalin must have kicked in and taken over," she explained.&nbsp;"My first thought was to save my daughter, house, cats and dogs. With my daughter safely in the garden I ran back upstairs to get the cats – we have four three-week-old kittens – and rounded up our two dogs."

The neighbours, upon hearing the explosion, rushed to help the duo and called the emergency services. The authorities identified it to be an explosive probably from World War II which would normally have a&nbsp;protective coating of wax.

Crews have been advised not to drink water from their tap for a few days now, fearing the water may be contaminated due to the explosion.

"We often collect pieces of glass and driftwood as we like making things. We are very arty and crafty," Jodie joked. "It had strange ridges and looked more like a piece of bone. It wasn’t very heavy and weighed the same as a bag of sugar. I thought it might be an old knee joint. It didn’t feel metallic at all."

A 38-year-old beach lover Jodie Crews and her eight-year-old daughter Isabella decided to bring back a unique find from their trip to the beach, only to later realise it was not what they thought it to be.

A 38-year-old beach lover Jodie Crews and her eight-year-old daughter Isabella decided to bring back a unique find from their trip to the beach, only to later realise it was not what they thought it to be. The Crews found a peculiar-looking thing on the beach and brought it back home assuming it to be some kind of fossil or a bone. Jodie took to social media to ask her friends if they could identify what their rare find was and from which period. A friend suggested it to be 'whale vomit' and asked the duo to poke it with a hot pin to see if it let out a "puff of white smoke" which could confirm it being 'whale vomit'. Also read| Banksy's 'Achoo' causes distress for property owners However, when the mother-daughter duo followed their friend's advice, the outer portion of the object started melting and soon turned hot, making sizzling sounds. As soon as Jodie saw the object turning into a fireball, she grabbed the grenade and ran towards the kitchen where she placed it in the sink. The grenade soon exploded causing destruction in and around the kitchen sink. Recalling the event, Jodie Crews said, "It just turned into a fireball. My daughter screamed and ran out the back door. I grabbed the grenade and ran with it at arm’s length into the kitchen where I hurled it into the sink. We just went into survival mode." Also read| Beer can camera captures longest-exposure photograph ever - by coincidence! "I then rushed upstairs to soak a towel to throw over it to put it out. The adrenalin must have kicked in and taken over," she explained. "My first thought was to save my daughter, house, cats and dogs. With my daughter safely in the garden I ran back upstairs to get the cats – we have four three-week-old kittens – and rounded up our two dogs." The neighbours, upon hearing the explosion, rushed to help the duo and called the emergency services. The authorities identified it to be an explosive probably from World War II which would normally have a protective coating of wax. Crews have been advised not to drink water from their tap for a few days now, fearing the water may be contaminated due to the explosion. "We often collect pieces of glass and driftwood as we like making things. We are very arty and crafty," Jodie joked. "It had strange ridges and looked more like a piece of bone. It wasn’t very heavy and weighed the same as a bag of sugar. I thought it might be an old knee joint. It didn’t feel metallic at all."

Mother-daughter's rare beach find turns out to be grenade from WWII

Scientists find new fossils of car-sized prehistoric turtle in South America

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