Trilobite fossils found by workers at the construction site where the fossils were found (photo taken on December 20, 2023). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Xinbo
Kunming, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A large number of paleontological fossils have been discovered at the site of a highway project under construction in Yunnan, China. In order to protect the fossils, the local government urgently suspended the construction work in the fossil area and cooperated with relevant departments to carry out fossil collection and research.
The discovery site is located at the construction site of the Puda service area of Lu (Liang) Xun (Dian) Expressway in Malong District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province. A "no construction" sign has been erected here, and a fence area has been set up, and relevant staff are working hard to collect and identify fossils.
The construction site of the Puda service area of the Luxun Expressway under construction taken on December 20, 2023 (drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Xinbo
Leng Tao, project manager of the TJ2 project of the Luxun Expressway of China Railway 11th Bureau Group, the contractor, said that at the end of November, construction in the area where the fossils were found was suspended and temporary protection facilities were erected. "Although it has a certain impact on the construction progress, it is very meaningful to think that we can protect our paleontological fossils. ”
According to relevant experts, there are fossils such as smooth Marosaurus, Isingworm, Naro, Hypermuscular, and softtongue snails, and it is preliminarily inferred that the geological age of this set of strata is slightly later than the Cambrian Chengjiang fauna, which is about 500 million years ago.
It is not uncommon to find paleontological fossils on construction sites in the Malone district. The Maroon fauna, named after the site in 1992, was a sensation and over the years has attracted the attention of many scientists and fossil enthusiasts.
Liu Yu, a researcher at the Institute of Paleontology of Yunnan University, said that after preliminary collection, this batch of fossils has a certain scientific research value, and the geological age is similar to that of the Cambrian Chengjiang biota.
According to the preliminary demonstration of many experts, these fossils have both scientific research value and ornamental value, especially the representative animal group. As the collection progresses, it cannot be ruled out that there will be some new discoveries.
Source: Xinhua News Agency