Episode
Fossil Fails: A Precambrian beehive and dinosaurs on the moon
- Podcast
- The Fossil Files
- Published
- Sep 23, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2000
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Summary
In the first of two episodes on notorious fossil fails, Rob and Susie take a look at how a serious case of mistaken identify unfolded for some Ediacaran 'fossils'. Herein lies a cautionary tail for all relating to p areidolia: our very human tendency to perceive patterns in random shapes and lines, or why we might see jesus is a piece of toast or a smiley face in a cut pepper. This takes us to unexpected destination for hunting for dinosaur fossils: the moon! Image 1 : A look at some 'Ediacaran fossils' from the Bhimbetka cave in India and some other structures found there. Image 2: "Fossilised embryo of a dinosaur inside the egg on the moon". Yes you read that right. The main papers discussed this week is by Greg Retallack and colleagues " Dickinsonia discovered in India and late Ediacaran biogeography" published in Gondwana Research in 2021 ( https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2020.11.008) with follow up articles by Joseph Meert and colleagues "Stinging News: ' Dickinsonia ' discovered in the Upper Vindhyan of India not worth the buzz" published in Gondwana Research in 2023 ( https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.01.003) and SK Pandey and colleagues " Dickinsonia tenuis reported by Retallack et al. 2021 is not a fossil, instead an impression of an extant 'fallen beehive'" published in 2023 in the Journal of the Geological Society of India ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2312-2 ). The final paper is by Hari Mohan Saxena and Jagmohan Saxena "Dinosaur eggs with fossilized embryos on the moon" 'published' in the New York Science Journal ( http://www.dx.doi.org/10.7537/marsnys160823.030). Wide screen Ediacaran image by John Sibbeck.