It is a 280 million year old fossil. It has baffled researchers for decades. But the controversial oldest fossil in the Alps is, in part, a fake.
This new research was published in the scientific journal 'Palaeontology'. Reveal a secret about the fossil, famous for its remarkable preservation. It is mostly black paint on a rock surface carved into the shape of a lizard. The team led by Valentina Rossi, from University College Cork, (Ireland), carried out the study.
false impression
Tridentinosaurus antiquus was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931. It was thought to be an important specimen for understanding the early evolution of reptiles. The outline of his body appears dark against the surrounding rock. It was initially interpreted as preserved soft tissues. This led to its classification as a member of the Protorosauria group of reptiles. The supposed fossilized skin had been celebrated in articles and books. But it was never studied in detail, the university reports in a statement.
The microscopic analysis revealed new information about the texture and composition of the material. They did not match those of genuine fossilized soft tissues. A preliminary investigation was done using ultraviolet photography. It revealed that the entire sample was treated with some type of coating material.
Coating fossils with varnishes and/or lacquers was the norm in the past. Sometimes it is necessary to preserve a fossil specimen in museum showcases and exhibits. The team hoped to find the original soft tissues beneath the coating layer.
Puzzle solved
The findings indicate that the body outline of Tridentinosaurus antiquus was created artificially, probably to improve the appearance of the fossil.
The controversial oldest fossil in the Alps fooled previous researchers. Caution is now urged when using this specimen in future studies. But all is not lost and the fossil is not completely fake. The bones of the hind legs, particularly the femurs, appear authentic, although in poor condition. This study is an example of how modern analytical paleontology and rigorous scientific methods can solve a nearly century-old paleontological puzzle.
