Fossil of Charnia masoni

Fossil of Charnia masoni
Fossil of Charnia masoni
Fossil of Charnia masoni
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iBase ID
6565
Title
Fossil of Charnia masoni
Description
Charnia masoni is one of the most important fossils ever discovered, and was found in the Charnwood area of Leicestershire. At the time of its discovery (1957) it was believed that life originated in the Cambrian period (541-484 million years ago). Charnia was found in rocks that were indisputably earlier (579-555 million years old). Being a complex, multi-cellular organism, this single fossil revolutionised the field of palaeontology, pushing back the date for the origin of life and forcing an entire rethink of early fossils.

Despite its leafy appearance, Charnia was not a plant. It belonged to an enigmatic group called the Edicaran biota, a strange group of organisms that left no descendants. It is believed Charnia lived like a modern sea pen, anchored to the sea floor and absorbing nutrients through its large, leaf-like body.
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charnia_leaf_stone.JPG
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Notes
IM&ICT - KH
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