A 66-million-year-old fossilized vomit has been discovered at Stevns Klint, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Zealand, Denmark. Local fossil hunter Peter Denicke stumbled upon an unusual fragment inside a broken rock while walking in the area. Recognizing its significance, he promptly took it to Geomuseum Faxe for analysis.
Museum expert John Jagt analyzed the specimen and identified remnants of two distinct species of sea lilies. He determined that an ancient animal had consumed the sea lilies but later regurgitated their indigestible parts, which later fossilized over millions of years.
The Natural History Museum of Denmark later classified the fossil as a "Danekræ," a designation reserved for uniquely significant natural history finds. In paleontology, fossilized vomit, known as a "regurgitalite," provides crucial insights into ancient food chains, revealing what animals ate and how they interacted within prehistoric ecosystems.
Geomuseum Faxe announced that the fossil will go on display starting February 10, 2025.
Viewer Comments:
Must be fun to just go for a walk and stumble upon a rare fossil.
Crazy that they can analyze something from 66 million years ago.
Guess that’s why he calls himself a fossil hunter—well deserved!
Source:
Usædvanligt fund af danekræ på Stevns Klint – Østsjællands Museum
https://www.oesm.dk/usaedvanligt-fund-af-danekrae-paa-stevns-klint/
‘Unusual Find’: 66-Million-Year-Old Fossilized Vomit Discovered : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/unusual-find-66-million-year-old-fossilized-vomit-discovered
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