Researchers have discovered the Chinese cousin of the velociraptor

The largest dinosaur ever found with wings on its arms, a new species of feathered dinosaur was uncovered in China.

The so-called Zhenyuanlong has three layers of quill-like features and is coated with feathers, making it resemble a modern bird. One of the new species' closest relatives is the well-known velociraptor, which lived approximately 125 million years ago.

The thousands of feathered dinosaurs that have been discovered in the Liaoning Province of China, where the Zhenyuanlong was discovered, are renowned, and this most recent find further diversifies the region's biodiversity. The fossil of the Zhenyuanlong is a perfectly preserved illustration of dinosaur life from the Early Cretaceous period, just as previous species.

The name Zhenyuanlong is derived from the combination of the words "long," which in Chinese means "dragon," and "Zhenyuan," which is the last name of the person who obtained the specimen for examination.

According to a report published today in the journal Scientific Reports, the dinosaur, like previous dinosaurs unearthed in the area, "has broad wings on its arms comprised of multiple sets of pennaceous feathers and large pennaceous feathers on the tail." According to paleontologists, the raptor "appears to lack vaned feathers on the hindlimb" in contrast to its close relatives.

But it's not these characteristics that set this dinosaur apart from others. According to the researchers, the Zhenyuanlong is "an aberrant and rare animal compared to the vast majority of other Liaoning dromaeosaurids, due to its large body size and proportionally tiny forearms". Most of the dinosaur's relatives are around the size of a domestic house cat. The Zhenyuanlong is larger, with short forearms and broad, intricate wings.

It's also intriguing to note that although the Zhenyuanlong has wings, they don't necessarily appear to be designed for flying.

A short-armed species like the Zhenyuanlong may have grown wings even if it did not fly, according to the researchers' theories. The researchers hypothesized that the persistence of paravians without flying could be explained by the possibility that broad, multiple-layered feathered wings were helpful for show and may have even developed for this purpose rather than for flight.

Source: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/new-feathe...

A significant seawater fossil found in Nevada may provide the key to aquatic evolution.

The largest fossil ever discovered from its era is an 8-foot-long cranium that was uncovered in the Augusta Mountains of Nevada. The research team thinks the amazing find may shed light on how contemporary whales evolved and how to protect their presence in our oceans.

The skull of the cymbospondylus youngorum.

The fossil, a newly identified species of an aquatic reptile called an ichthyosaur, dates to about 246 million years ago. According to the research team, the largest animal from that era discovered both on land and in the sea is now known as cymbospondylus youngorum. It presently has the distinction of being the first enormous mammal to live on Earth.

The creature's forefin, shoulder, and backbone were also discovered in the excavation along with its well-preserved skull. The American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County issued a report on Thursday that assessed the ichthyosaur to be more than 55 feet long, or the size of a big sperm whale.

Because of its long snout and conical teeth, ichthyosaurs are thought to have consumed fish and squid. It might have also hunted younger individuals of its kind and smaller sea reptiles.

According to paleontologists, the ichthyosaurs multiplied within a few million years, and their expansion was partly fueled by a sharp rise in their prey, which included ammonoids and conodonts that resembled eels. Following a major catastrophe known as the end-Permian catastrophe, these creatures' populations exploded.

"That's one way this study stands out, as it allowed us to explore and gain some additional insight into body size evolution within these groups of marine tetrapods," said Dr. Jorge Velez-Juarbe, an associate curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

"A testament to the resilience of life in the oceans after the worst mass extinction in Earth's history," he continued, the cymbospondylus youngorum.

Lene Delsett and Nicholas Pyenson, the study's co-authors, stated that the study "tells us that ocean giants are not guaranteed features of marine ecosystems, which is a valuable lesson for all of us." Particularly if we wish to maintain the existence of the last ocean giants among us that benefit our own wellbeing.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/kil...

This Is Why Ancient Egypt Is Still A Mystery For Humans ? (Rituals & secrets)

In this video we are going to tell you about some of The darkest secrets from ancient Egypt is what archaeologists call a retainer sacrifice. This is the practice of murdering, presumably healthy people so that the pharaoh can be served in the afterlife. Some of the kings of old have as many as 500 retainer sacrifices!

In Egypt’s Ancient Secrets, the mysteries surrounding the giant pyramids, desert cemeteries, buried ships, and lost tombs are unraveled. Filled with fascinating details about life in ancient Egypt, each book delves into stories of the past. The series also discusses how historians and scientists are using advanced technology to help unlock Egypt’s ancient secrets.

Recently Discovered Cave Art Challenges Our Perception of an Ancient Society

Amidst the expanse of Scotland's landscape, adorned with remnants of antiquity, Kilmartin Glen emerges as a paramount hub of historical treasures. This sacred ground, nestled along the western coastline, has long captivated the attention of countless archaeologists, historians, and scholars alike. Given the meticulous scrutiny the region has undergone, the astonishing revelation of a momentous archaeological discovery sent shockwaves throughout the scholarly community. A fortuitous encounter by a local resident revealed an extraordinary assemblage of cave drawings, breathing fresh vitality into our comprehension of the ancient civilization that once thrived in this very domain. These prehistoric artistic renderings now illuminate the tapestry of our shared human heritage.

A Complete Timeline of Prehistoric Creatures & Dinosaurs of North America

The United States of America is not exactly a small country, and the landmass it sits on hasn’t exactly been around for a short amount of time. Think of the millions and millions of years that life has been around on our planet - fossil sponges, for example, have been found elsewhere on the North American continent which date back to around 890 million years ago. In that time, the United States have been home to a plethora of bizarre creatures, both famous and familiar and some which are alien and unrecogniseable. Today, we will take you on a journey through the natural history of this vast and ancient land, from the shallow waters of the Cambrian, right through to the icy forests of the Pleistocene. On the way, we will meet the outlandish and extravagant wildlife that once called America home, such as the infamous dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period, and the bizarre beasts of the Permian. Join us as we take a voyage spanning over five hundred million years, as we discover the prehistoric creatures of the United States of America.

The Bizarre Secret of the Rocks that Come to Life

Deep in the California Desert lies a spot known as Death Valley. But unlike ghost towns, dinosaurs, and other fossils one can find in the desert, in Death Valley rocks seem to have come alive.

For over a century, scientists have been puzzled by the famous Sailing Stones of Racetrack Playa; rocks that move on their own and leave beautifully smooth tracks behind. Some are upwards of 500 pounds and still travel more than 15 feet in a minute. Others leave trails that are thousands of feet long.

However, while it has been confirmed that the rocks do move without human or animal intervention, no one had ever seen them in action - until a pair of curious scientists finally got to the bottom of the mystery only a few years ago…

The Untold History Behind Greek Mythology (Gods, Secrets & Culture)

In this video, we will know about Greek mythology. Greek mythology is a fascinating and rich tapestry of stories, legends, and beliefs that have captured the imaginations of people for thousands of years. These myths are a window into the beliefs, values, and traditions of ancient Greece and continue to influence modern culture today.

From the powerful gods and goddesses who ruled over the universe to the heroic feats of demi-gods and mortal heroes, Greek mythology is a treasure trove of timeless tales. These stories explore the human experience in all its complexity, from the struggle for power and the pursuit of love to the consequences of hubris and the inevitability of mortality.

Fascinating Filthy Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

Do you know that Pharaohs Spent Their Reigns Preparing for Their Death? How glorious death would it be? Ancient Egyptians have always been known for their glorious death ceremony and are still known as exemplar extravagant tombs inside Great pyramids in Egypt.

The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt have captivated people's imaginations for centuries, with their grand tombs, intricate hieroglyphics, and mysterious rituals. However, there's a lot more to these powerful rulers than meets the eye.

From Pharaohs who Depicted with a Beard to the All Pharaohs Wore Makeup. We'll delve into some of the fascinating, and sometimes filthy, facts about the Pharaohs that you might not have heard before.

Lost Places Found In The Mountains

From the tiger’s nest monastery to the Kuelap fortress, in the video below we will be exploring lost places that were found in the mountains. Watch the video to find out more!

An Important Giza Rock Outcrop & the Origins of the Great Sphinx

South of the Khafre causeway on the Giza Plateau, and directly to the north of the Tomb of Khentkawas, is a limestone bedrock outcrop known as GCF1, and yes because of this particular photograph, taken from this particular angle, it has been referred to by some as the ‘Second Great Sphinx of Giza’.

But it is only roughly reminiscent of Giza’s famous monument, and only when you look at it from the south, because when you view it from any other direction, especially from above, we can clearly see that this clickbait hypothesis is nonsense. We can say with some confidence that this is not, and never was, a second Sphinx.

But that should not detract from just how interesting and important GCF1 is to our understanding of the development of the Giza plateau, because not only can it be used as key evidence when debating an age-old Sphinx hypothesis, it also had importance in its own right, and in this video we’ll explain why.

"'Plague Island": 5 Creepy Places Abandoned to the Sea

Situated in the Gulf of Finland, off the Russian coast near St. Petersburg, is a manmade island built as a naval fortress that once had an even more deadly purpose - one which earned it the name 'Plague Island.'

Between 1838 and 1845, Fort Alexander came to life as a strategic military base designed to control the vital Gulf of Finland, thus securing essential shipping lanes between Russia, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Though not the first of its kind, Fort Alexander was one of the most impressive fortifications in the Gulf. Builders drove 5,535 piles, each 40 feet long, deep into the seabed, layering sand, concrete, and granite slabs on top.

Fort Alexander's massive structure spans over 54,000 square feet across three floors. At its peak, the fort housed 1,000 men and accommodated 103 cannons and an additional 34 guns on the roof.

While playing a strategic role in the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856, the fort never faced real action. However, its purpose shifted after the Russian government established the Commission on the Prevention of Plague in the late 19th century. The island became home to a state-of-the-art laboratory in 1897 dedicated to dangerous bacteriological research.

Equipped with a scientific library, containment labs, and cremation chambers for spent lab animals, Fort Alexander focused primarily on developing plague vaccines. Later, researchers delved into other deadly diseases, including tuberculosis, cholera, scarlatina, and typhus.

Between 1904 and 1907, the hazardous nature of the work led to several staff members contracting the plague, resulting in numerous fatalities, including the head doctor. Another doctor, who caught the bubonic plague, treated himself with an experimental serum and ultimately recovered.

Contemporary accounts reference plague-infected rabbits, monkeys, guinea pigs, and horses housed in a dedicated stable on the island...

Antarctica Finally Melted And Something Terrifying Is Happening

If Antarctica Melts, Who Actually Survives?

Every second, 3 Olympic sized swimming pools worth of ice is melting from Antarctica and there is no stopping it. Even if we were to cut off all use of fossil fuels right this second, we wouldn’t be able to put a dent into the cataclysm that’s being unleashed. Countries all over the world are going to suffer from the immense repercussions of rising sea levels. But why is this happening?

Join us as we discuss the melting of Antarctica and the terrifying implications it holds for everyone on Earth.

Breeding Slaves - The Hidden Secret

At the time of slavery in Brazil, there are many reports and stories, documentation that were never much publicized, and today we will reveal some of the things that happened at that time here in Brazil!

Slavery was the greatest chapter in the history of Brazil. Slaves chained, whipped, maimed and starved by their masters, millions of slaves lived and died to work in coffee fields. Despite slavery being abolished over 150 years ago, most Brazilians still prefer to hide this reality from the world.

Surprisingly Plausible Real-Life Explanations For Mythical Creatures

Creatures like the narwhal, okapi, and Komodo dragon are on the short list of mythical creatures proven real. Yet, while scientifically interesting, these examples aren't in the realm of more fanciful and legendary animals like unicorns, Bigfoot, or the more hilarious mythical creatures that cryptozoologists fawn over. Mythical creatures in real life often fail to live up to the expectations formed by old legends, fairy tales, or cartoons.

12 Most Incredible Finds That Scare Scientists

Let's explore some of the most peculiar and enigmatic archaeological discoveries from around the world. These finds challenge our current understanding of the ancient world, and despite our accumulated knowledge, we’re still unable to fully comprehend their significance. Perhaps you can help uncover some of the missing pieces to these mysterious puzzles. Get ready to join the adventure and discover the perplexing secrets of these unconventional archaeological discoveries, some of which have tormented the minds of experts!

Dromaeosaurs: The Strange Carnivores of The Mesozoic Era

Dromaeosaurs represent one of the largest learning curves in all dinosaur groups. These maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs, members of the family Dromaeosauridae, are among the most famous and commonly depicted of all dinosaurs, and were one of the most widespread and successful theropod clades. The family was officially described and established by William D. Matthew and Barnum Brown in 1922, but at this point, many dromaeosaur genera were poorly understood. Dromaeosaurs at this time were portrayed as unobtrusive, generic predators, essentially like small versions of large theropods such as Tyrannosaurus. One man would swiftly change everything, however - American paleontologist John Ostrom. Ostrom was responsible for revolutionising humanity's understsanding of dinosaur posture and appearance, and it was his work on the famous dromaeosaur Deinonychus that sparked it all.

12 Most Amazing Archaeological Finds That Change History

Every archaeologist around the world shares the same dream - to unearth an artefact or make a discovery that could potentially rewrite history as we know it. Such a discovery has the power to challenge and even upend established narratives, revealing new insights into our past and fundamentally changing our understanding of human civilisation. In this video, we're showing you a series of incredible finds that have accomplished just that.