Tag: Palaeontology
Small populations of Stone Age people drove dwarf hippos and elephants to extinction on Cyprus
Pig-sized hippos and elephants the size of horses once roamed the lush forests of Cyprus – until humans arrived.
Exceptional new fish fossil sparks rethink of how Earth’s geology drives evolution
A new Australian coelacanth find has revealed a surprising force behind the slow evolution of these ‘living fossils’.
How can I become a palaeontologist? 5 tips from a professional fossil hunter
Palaeontologist don’t just dig up dinosaur bones – they study the whole history of life on Earth, and uncover clues about its future too.
A ‘trilobite Pompeii’: perfectly preserved fossils of ancient sea critters found buried in volcanic ash
A 500-million-year-old find reveals previously unknown features of the sea creatures responsible for some of palaeontology’s most recognisable fossils.
100-million-year-old fossil find reveals huge flying reptile that patrolled Australia’s inland sea
In 2021 a former avocado farmer discovered the most complete pterosaur skeleton ever found in Australia – and new research shows it represents a previously unknown species.
‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have scientists up in arms
Experts say the ‘reimagining’ of the South Australian Museum will destroy its crucial contributions to science.
Giant 'kings of apes' once roamed southern China. We solved the mystery of their extinction
What happened to the three-metre tall apes that once lived alongside orangutans? A new study suggests they were too slow to adapt to a changing world.
Controversial claims about extinct humans are stirring up evolution research. Here's how the mess could have been avoided
How, when and where did modern humans evolve? Nobody has all the answers, but studying rock and dirt can put the debate on firmer footing.
Holes in baby dinosaur bones show how football-sized hatchlings grew to 3-tonne teens
Small holes in baby dinosaur bones add to the growing mass of evidence that the ancient creatures were warm-blooded and highly active.
