We used to think that the dinosaurs that walked the Earth a long time ago looked more like modern crocodiles, lizards, iguanas. In our view, these are reptiles with smooth skin, completely devoid of vegetation.
However, scientists have discovered something that can destroy this stereotype and change the idea of living beings that inhabited the planet in ancient times.
Since the end of the 20th century, archaeologists have found many dinosaur remains, confirming that representatives of some of their species had plumage.
Feathers are poorly preserved, which is why such amazing finds appeared late, because their discovery is possible only with the use of modern technology. What was the triumph of scientists when they found not fossilized remains, but a dinosaur tail with feathers on it in resin, an artifact practically untouched by time.
The striking example was not found during excavations or a scientific expedition to lost places, but in the market of Myitkyina, a city in Myanmar. The seller had no idea about the value of the item put up for sale.
The tail of a young coelurosaur has been preserved in fossilized resin. It seems that the lizard inadvertently stuck its tail into the sticky mass flowing down the tree trunk, and in order to free itself it was forced to lose part of its body.
It turns out that dinosaurs most likely looked like huge running chickens, or flying birds. According to the analysis, the age of the find is at least 99 million years.
Coelurosaurs are the most numerous group of predatory dinosaurs, which in particular included the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Most scientists believe that all members of the group had plumage, and it may have been bright. So, our idea of the appearance of ancient predators is turned upside down.
