An international team of scientists from Jilin University in China and the University of Oklahoma in the US has discovered the oldest fossilized skin sample known to science. The find dates back to the Paleozoic era and belonged to one of the first reptiles that lived about 289 million years ago. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Current Biology.
According to paleontologists, the fossil they examined is 21 million years older than its counterparts. It is the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of a land animal and is most similar to the skin of a crocodile.
The specimen was found in the Richards Spur limestone cave system in the US state of Oklahoma.
Scientists noted that skin and other soft tissues rarely have time to fossilize, but in this case, the integrity of the body is preserved due to the features of the cave into which oils and various resins seep. These substances worked as preservatives.
According to the researchers, their discovery will help better understand the history of the evolution of skin in terrestrial vertebrates, which ultimately led to the emergence of feathers in birds and hair in mammals.
Previously in England to create The giant skull of an ancient sea monster.