Fossil trove gives view of ancient life

Researchers have unearthed a trove of well-preserved fossils representing more than 50 previously undescribed animal species dating back 518 million years.

The soft tissues of their bodies, including muscles, organs, eyes and mouths are still visible in some of the 4,351 fossils discovered in Yichang, Hubei province, according to a new study published in the journal Science on Friday. The excavated fossils represent 109 species, including known jelly fish, arthropods and algae.

Fu Dongjing, associate professor at Northwest University in Xi'an, Shaanxi, also the first author of the paper, said the research group started exploring the ancient ruins in the summer of 2007, in Changyang Tujia autonomous county. It was located on the bank of Qingjiang River where a representative insect from the Cambrian period was first found.