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280 Million-Year-Old Fossil Exposed as Partial Forgery

A new study reveals that the celebrated Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil, thought to contain rare carbonized soft tissue, is largely fabricated with black paint.

forged fossil
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This Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil is only partially real

Overview

  • A recent study has debunked the authenticity of the Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil, revealing it to be partially forged with black paint.
  • The fossil, discovered in 1931 and believed to be one of the best preserved from the Alps, was thought to show carbonized soft tissue.
  • Advanced analytical techniques, including UV photography and chemical analysis, were used to determine the forgery.
  • While the long bones of the hind limbs appear genuine, the rest of the fossil was found to be artificially enhanced.
  • The discovery underscores the importance of modern paleontological methods in identifying fossil forgeries and the need for ethical conservation practices.