Found a 99 million-year-old fossil bird covered in amber

A great discovery of scientists and archaeologists in the study of the history of the structure and development of birds.

The current world of science is no stranger to discoveries related to amber fossils of prehistoric aphids. But the latest discovery of ancient bird models in Burma is indeed unprecedented in history.

These floating fossils - still presenting full traces, composition, fur texture and soft tissue - are indeed a costly scientific evidence, especially in the area of ​​archeology.

The age of birds spread widely on Earth about 150 million years ago, when dinosaurs were still the dominant species of the world. Scientists have collected quite a few complete fossils over the years of search and research, but usually these are just a few patterns on the stone face.

From the perspective of amber, many groups studied each sign of the ancient bird in it, but only single hairs. The fossil bird wings dating back to 99 million years ago have been found to open a new horizon for archaeological analysis, history and structure and shape of this bird.

Picture 1 of Found a 99 million-year-old fossil bird covered in amber
A sample of amber fossils.

These outstanding discoveries, currently on display at a Natural Research Center, are found by paleontologists Lida Xing, Ryan McKellar and other colleagues at a ruin in Myanmar's Kachin province. (formerly Burma). In particular, these three-dimensional fossils still retain hair follicles, soft tissue and even arrangement - the composition of a flying creature that existed 100 million years ago.

This is the first time the scientific community has the opportunity to "touch" truly the characteristic of the bird family, which was extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period.

Picture 2 of Found a 99 million-year-old fossil bird covered in amber
The structure and color can still be clearly seen.

Because the wing size is quite small, along with the unbalanced balance, scientists have concluded that this fossil couple originates from an unfortunate young bird who died soon after hatching, Specific Enantiornithines , which have been characterized by developmental wings, are almost identical to adulthood even when they are still in their infancy (explaining their tendency and self-sufficiency right after birth of many birds). So, even as part of an incomplete body, the team can also predict and produce perfect images of the shape and composition of a mature individual.

Picture 3 of Found a 99 million-year-old fossil bird covered in amber
The characteristics that lasted nearly 100 million years are still retained.

Besides, the structure of bone and wing feathers is also analyzed thoroughly, using advanced techniques such as microscopic tomography with X-rays. In general, the fossil's feathers in general have many similarities. copper compared to bird generation today. For example, when placed next to the feather structure of the red-necked bird, based on color variation as well as micro-structure, it is almost impossible to distinguish the embodiment of the past, what is the shape. photo of the present.

Picture 4 of Found a 99 million-year-old fossil bird covered in amber
Overall, the fossils of fossil birds in general have many similarities with the generation of birds today.

"These fossil specimens represent a coat of properties and characteristics similar to modern birds, and also have a connection with flying dinosaurs (99 million years ago)," quoted the author. fake in the research process. This also means that birds have started to evolve in terms of their fur formation from the time of 100 million years ago, and not too many changes have appeared and developed since then. , through the rotation line of endless time.