Groundbreaking Fossil Discovery in France Sheds Light on Ancient Polar Ecosystems

The Cabrières Biota, dating back 470 million years, reveals a rich biodiversity near the South Pole, offering insights into early Paleozoic life and climate adaptation.

A groundbreaking discovery in southern France unveils the Cabrières Biota, a fossil site from the Early Ordovician period, around 470 million years ago.
The site, discovered by amateur paleontologists, contains nearly 400 exceptionally well-preserved fossils, including rare soft-tissue specimens.
The Cabrières Biota was located near the South Pole during the Early Ordovician, providing unique insights into polar ecosystems of the time.
The high biodiversity of the site suggests it served as a refuge for species escaping high temperatures further north, offering clues about ancient climate adaptations.
This discovery is crucial for understanding the distribution and evolution of early Paleozoic life, especially given the rarity of Ordovician sites with soft-tissue preservation.