A 66 million-year-old piece of fossilized vomit has been discovered in Denmark, providing a unique glimpse into the prehistoric food chain during the time of the dinosaurs.
A 66 million-year-old piece of fossilized vomit has been discovered in Denmark, providing a unique glimpse into the prehistoric food chain during the time of the dinosaurs.
The fossil was found by local fossil hunter Peter Bennicke at Stevns Klint, a UNESCO-listed coastal cliff in eastern Denmark. ‘fossil geek’ and had been searching for fossils in the area for some time. He noticed a strange collection of sea lily fragments embedded in chalk and brought them to be examined at the Museum of East Zealand.
Unraveling the Mystery of the Prehistoric Food Chain
The fossilized vomit, which is estimated to be 66 million years old, contains remains from at least two different species of sea lilies. According to Jesper Milan, a palaeontologist and curator at the museum, this find helps explain relationships in the prehistoric food chain.
‘It tells us something about who was eating who 66 million years ago,’ Milan said. During the Cretaceous period, fish and sharks would eat sea lilies, which are hard to digest. As a result, they would regurgitate all the chalk bits, leaving behind the indigestible parts of the sea lily.
Sea lilies, also known as crinoids, are marine animals that have been on the planet for over 450 million years.
These ancient creatures belong to the class Crinoidea and are characterized by their long, thin stems and feathery arms.
They are attached to rocks or reefs using a sticky foot and feed on plankton and small organisms.
Sea lilies have undergone significant changes throughout their evolution, with some species developing unique features such as a crown-like structure on top of their stem.
A Rare Find with Significant Implications
Regurgitalites, or fossilized vomit, are rare but invaluable to scientists studying ancient ecosystems. This discovery is significant because it provides a unique insight into the everyday situation in the bottom of the Cretaceous sea, where dinosaurs lived.
‘This find is a unique glimpse into the prehistoric dining habits,’ Milan said. ‘It’s truly an unusual find.’
In prehistoric times, the food chain was a complex network of relationships between predators and prey.
At the base of the pyramid were plants and algae, which were consumed by herbivores like early dinosaurs and mammals.
These herbivores were then hunted by carnivores such as saber-toothed cats and giant crocodiles.
The top of the food chain consisted of apex predators like Spinosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
This delicate balance played a crucial role in shaping ecosystems, with each species relying on others for survival.
The discovery has sparked global interest and will be featured in a special exhibition at the Geomuseum Faxe.
A Window into the Past
The fossilized vomit provides a fascinating addition to Denmark‘s natural history, revealing ancient predator-prey dynamics. According to Milan, this find is also significant for improving our understanding of past ecosystems.
‘It is truly an unusual find,’ Milan said. ‘This is the world’s most famous piece of puke ever.’
