Summary
Recent fossil finds in China's Yunnan province reveal early complex animals from 539 million years ago. These discoveries suggest complex life forms evolved earlier than scientists previously believed, providing insight into animal evolution during the Ediacaran period.
Key Facts
- Scientists found over 700 fossils in Yunnan province, China.
- The fossils date back to 539 million years ago, at the end of the Ediacaran period.
- These fossils show more complex animals than previously expected for that time.
- Previously, scientists thought such complex life appeared in the Cambrian period, 4 million years later.
- The fossil site is near a United Nations Chengjiang world natural heritage site.
- This discovery helps resolve the "rocks versus clocks" debate about animal evolution timing.
- The fossils show animals with symmetrical bodies, similar to modern creatures.
- The study was published in the journal Science.
