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280 Million-Year-Old Fossil Exposed as Forgery

Recent analysis reveals that the Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil, once thought to be a key to understanding reptile evolution, is largely fabricated.

Tridentinosaurus antiquus was discovered in the Italian alps in 1931 and was thought to be an important specimen for understanding early reptile evolution - but has now been found to be, in part a forgery. Its body outline, appearing dark against the surrounding rock, was initially interpreted as preserved soft tissues but is now known to be paint.

Overview

  • A 280 million-year-old fossil, Tridentinosaurus antiquus, discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931, has been revealed to be largely a forgery, consisting of black paint over carved rock and a few bones.
  • The fossil was initially thought to be a significant specimen for understanding early reptile evolution, believed to contain preserved soft tissues.
  • Advanced analytical techniques, including ultraviolet photography and microscopic analysis, uncovered the forgery, showing the fossil's outline was artificially created.
  • Actual bones and traces of osteoderms were found within the fossil, indicating some genuine elements amidst the forgery.
  • The discovery prompts a reevaluation of previously studied fossils and highlights the importance of modern analytical methods in paleontology.