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Massive New Cambrian-Era Fossil Bed Found

jfbilodeau sends word of a massive new trove of fossils located in Canada, which scientists say will rival the acclaimed Burgess Shale fossil bed. The rock formation inside which both fossil sites were found is roughly 505 million years old (abstract). The fossils provide insight into the Cambrian explosion, a time that brought the rapid appearance and diversification of many animal forms. "In just two weeks, the research team collected more than 3,000 fossils representing 55 species. Fifteen of these species are new to science." Paleontologist Jean-Bernard Caron said, "The rate at which we are finding animals — many of which are new — is astonishing, and there is a high possibility that we'll eventually find more species here than at the original Yoho National Park site, and potentially more than from anywhere else in the world." The fossils at the new site are about 100,000 years younger and are better preserved than those at the renowned Burgess shale site.

3 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. Its all about sex emerging 600 million years ago by Baldrson · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    The difference between groups and individuals is sexual individuals specialize to create asexual groups and asexual cells specialize to create sexual individuals. http://archive.org/stream/Huma...

  2. Re:It's the devil by Charliemopps · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Well you're never going to cure another man of his bigotry against you and your beliefs by reciprocating that bigotry. In my time I've debated a lot of fundamentalists of several different religions. In almost every case I got to the end of the debate feeling pity for the person because I'd eventually realize their fundamentalism was just a manifestation of a much deeper set of problems.

    One gentleman was standing on a street corner, with his son, telling every woman that walked by in a skirt that she was... well, a lady of the night... anyways, I felt bad for his kid that was forced to hold up a not-very-nice sign while his father was clearly losing his mind in front of a crowd so I engaged the man. He actually claimed that he hadn't sinned in 10 years. Which means he clearly didn't understand that bible AT ALL. So it all came down to: "Sir, could God make a square circle?" which is of course the old Omnipotence paradox. He got angry and started yelling that I was just using a straw-man argument. I explained that I wasn't, and that this question did indeed have a correct answer. So I asked his kid holding the sign what he thought. He said "I don't know" and I told him "Neither do I! Welcome to the club!" While God may be omnipotent, he does not expect you to be. You can not know everything about about anything and he just expects you to do the best that you can.

    His father stored off with him in tow, and at the very least that particular street corner was more peaceful, but hopefully his son could find his way through faith without the anger his father was consumed with. I don't know what happened to his father to make him that way, but I certainly don't hate him for it. I pity him, and did what I could to help him out of the clear hell he was living in.

  3. Re:It's the devil by PPH · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    were put there by God, so as to test the faith of hapless followers.

    As were Hookers 'n Blow. So who are we to question God's divine plan? Personally, I welcome such a test. To prove my worthiness in His eyes, of course.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.