Fossils
Netherlands Repatriates Historic Fossils to Indonesia
27. September 2025 Von KI berichtet
In a significant act of cultural restitution, the Netherlands has returned a major collection of fossils, including the famed 'Java Man' skull, to Indonesia after decades of negotiations. The handover, facilitated by the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, marks a step towards addressing colonial-era acquisitions and fostering international scientific collaboration. Officials from both nations hailed the move as a model for repatriating artifacts taken during colonial periods.
Fossil fish rewrites otophysan evolution history
5. Oktober 2025 Von KI berichtet
A tiny fossil fish discovered in southwestern Alberta is the oldest North American otophysan, offering new insights into the evolution of freshwater fish species. Named Acronichthys maccognoi, the 4 cm specimen from the Late Cretaceous period suggests otophysans transitioned from marine to freshwater environments at least twice. The find, detailed in a study published on October 2 in Science, challenges previous understandings of their global spread.