This Week In History News, Dec. 17 – 23

Published December 22, 2017

Dinosaur-like carcass found with flesh seemingly intact, Earth's oldest-ever fossils uncovered, dinosaur footprint defaced by vandals.

Dinosaur-Like Animal Carcass Discovered With Flesh Seemingly Intact

Dino Discovery

Express News The mysterious carcass unearthed in India.

An electrician in India made an incredible discovery over the weekend, when he unearthed the carcass of what appears to be a prehistoric animal.

The electrician was cleaning out an abandoned substation when he discovered the remains, which were extremely well preserved, and even had its flesh intact.

Scientists have begun studying the creature, though are still looking into its origins.

“It looks like a dinosaur, but we can’t say anything until all the tests are done,” said Parag Madhukar Dhakate, a conservator with the Indian Forest Service.

Read more here.

Scientists Claim To Have Found Oldest Fossils Ever Discovered

Oldest Fossils Found

UW-MadisonA photo of the rock samples analyzed by UW-Madison researchers.

A new study, published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison in conjunction with UCLA, claims that researchers have found what appear to be the oldest fossils ever recovered.

Researchers at the two universities have been studying a piece of rock found in Western Australia, and have confirmed that the fossils inside date back almost 3.5 billion years, making them the oldest fossils ever found.

Dig deeper in this report.

115 Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprint Vandalized

Dinosaur Footprint

Anthony J. Martin/SmithsonianThe footprint, before the vandalism occurred.

When the dinosaur footprint was discovered by researchers at Bunurong Marine National Park in Victoria, Australia in 2006, they decided to leave it where it was so that visitors could enjoy it. Now, however, at least one visitor has smashed it beyond recognition with a hammer.

β€œThe thrill of seeing a real dinosaur footprint has been diminished with the callous act of vandalism,” said park education officer Mike Cleeland.

Read more at Smithsonian.

All That's Interesting
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.