A comprehensive analysis spanning 540 million years of marine fossils has revealed striking blind spots in humanity’s understanding of prehistoric life. Researchers from the Bavarian State Collections of Natural History discovered that while older eras like the Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic have been heavily excavated, shallow marine deposits from the more recent Cenozoic Era remain vastly underexplored. By cross-referencing geological exposure with historical excavation data, the team created a global “treasure map” pinpointing accessible coastal and inland rock formations where previously unknown species are most likely to be uncovered, helping guide future paleontological expeditions.
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