In China, found fossil forests 400 million years of age

Scientists routinely detect the remains of ancient plants and animals that can tell us a lot about how to build and develop life on this planet long before the development of our civilization. And recently in China were found fossils of one of the oldest (known at the moment) forests. Age fossil is about 400 million years. And they can help scientists understand what they are interested in a long time.

In China, found fossil forests 400 million years of age

When there was an ancient forest

According to the publication Current Biology, the forest was discovered near the town of Xinhai in Anhui Province during excavations on the territory of one of the mines. This place has been a long time for scientists "lure".

Jianchuan Mine has been in development for several years, and in this area has always worked diggers and miners Brigade - says Deming Wang from Peking University. Excavations in such places often are beneficial to our research. When the diggers and miners completed their work, we will examine the walls of mines and looking deep in the earth the remains of ancient fossils.

In China, found fossil forests 400 million years of age

Reconstruction of the appearance of the ancient forest, discovered in China

Scientists believe that the observed forest existed during the Devonian period, which lasted from 419 to 2 358, 9 million years ago. Interestingly, this period is primarily the fact that it was then that on our planet there were the first trees, and by the middle of the Devonian period were formed and the first ferns.

In China, found fossil forests 400 million years of age

What trees grow in the ancient forest

Among them are the trees that formed the forest that period usually were lycopsids sigillaria plant, reaching a height of 20-25 meters. Or trees species Guangdedendron micrum. These trees are somewhat reminiscent of palm trees up to 2 meters. However, recently discovered by the forest did not look quite right.

See also: Underwater discovered an ancient forest, which is 10,000 years old.

As scientists say, the forest grew on the coast of the river, which is often "waterlogged" trees. Therefore, the terrain here was pretty swampy. In addition to the already mentioned palmovidnyh Guangdedendron micrum, scientists have discovered the remains of ancient crinoids, crustaceans conchostracans and ancient fish.

The high growth density and low height of the trees make the forest look like a sugar cane field. In this case, the trees grew here, obviously, a fairly large group.

In China, found fossil forests 400 million years of age

The researchers say that the discovery will help give an idea of ​​how during the Devonian period, there was a rapid drop in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of ancient Earth.

Discuss this and other news you can in our chat in the Telegram.

Related articles
Scientist restores the appearance of people who lived 1,300 years ago Scientist restores the appearance of people who lived 1,300 years ago
10 prehistoric sea monsters 10 prehistoric sea monsters
We investigate the reason for the formation of polygons on Mars We investigate the reason for the formation of polygons on Mars
In China we have discovered a fundamentally new kind of ancient human In China we have discovered a fundamentally new kind of ancient human
Man evolved from marine worm Man evolved from marine worm
The smallest chameleon in the world has a length of 3 cm The smallest chameleon in the world has a length of 3 cm
In Pompeii found a box of magical objects. To whom do they belong? In Pompeii found a box of magical objects. To whom do they belong?
Earth flies a huge asteroid the size of a skyscraper Earth flies a huge asteroid the size of a skyscraper
In Egypt, found the sunken ship and the temple treasure In Egypt, found the sunken ship and the temple treasure
At the bottom of the lake found the remains of the oldest flower that survived the dinosaurs At the bottom of the lake found the remains of the oldest flower that survived the dinosaurs
Feathers appeared before the dinosaurs and birds and were not meant to fly Feathers appeared before the dinosaurs and birds and were not meant to fly
In the Alps, we found the ancestor of tyrannosaurs. He shed light on the evolution of ancient reptiles In the Alps, we found the ancestor of tyrannosaurs. He shed light on the evolution of ancient reptiles
In South Africa, found the remains of one of the largest dinosaurs of the Jurassic period In South Africa, found the remains of one of the largest dinosaurs of the Jurassic period
The ancient Egyptians created the mummies long before the pharaohs The ancient Egyptians created the mummies long before the pharaohs
Of fairy grove in Sochi Walk Of fairy grove in Sochi Walk
New articles
She wanted to be like a living Barbie She wanted to be like a living Barbie
Women who are already impossible to win Women who are already impossible to win
Color varnish for teeth as rage Color varnish for teeth as rage
Wildest traditions of the wedding night of the World Wildest traditions of the wedding night of the World
7 the great mysteries of Mars 7 the great mysteries of Mars
Microsoft fired the man from the cannon to break the Guinness record Microsoft fired the man from the cannon to break the Guinness record
Game review CHUCHEL: Cherry madness in Czech Game review CHUCHEL: Cherry madness in Czech
Octopus wrestling popular in the middle of the last century in the United States Octopus wrestling popular in the middle of the last century in the United States
Four husbands Marina Vlady Four husbands Marina Vlady
Unrest in the cities of Venezuela Unrest in the cities of Venezuela
The most dangerous beaches in the world The most dangerous beaches in the world
Travel Namibia Travel Namibia
20 most beautiful caves in the world 20 most beautiful caves in the world
20 coolest hotel rooms around the world 20 coolest hotel rooms around the world
Reach to the skies: 2015 Prize laureates Evolvo Reach to the skies: 2015 Prize laureates Evolvo