A piece of fossilised vomit, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, has bee discovered in Denmark offering scientists a rare glimpse into prehistoric food chains and ecosystems. Found at Stevns Klint, a UNESCO-listed coastal cliff, the ancient vomit is believed to have been regurgitated by marine life around 66 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. The discovery was made by Peter Bennicke, a local fossil hunter with a passion for ancient relics, who stumbled upon unusual fragments while exploring the chalk cliffs of Stevns Klint, BBC reported. These fragments were later identified as pieces of sea lily, an underwater species related to starfish and sea urchins. What initially seemed like an odd curiosity turned out to be a significant find. After taking his discovery to the Museum of East Zealand for further analysis, the fossil was confirmed to date back to the Cretaceous period, a time when dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops roamed the Earth. The fossilised vomit offers new insights into the food chains of the prehistoric oceans. A 66-million-year-old fossil of vomit was discovered in Denmark. pic.twitter.com/Vs5GErpKtz — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 27, 2025 During the Cretaceous, fish and sharks were known to consume sea lilies, a species that is difficult to digest. As a result, these creatures would regurgitate the indigestible parts, including chalk fragments. Jesper Milan, a palaeontologist and curator at the museum, told the BBC that it was the "world's most famous piece of puke ever." The discovery also contributes to the broader study of ecosystems that existed long before humans. (With inputs from BBC)
