A 30,000-year-old vulture fossil discovered in Italy has revealed something surprising—volcanic ash can preserve microscopic details of feathers.
This is the first time scientists have found such detailed soft tissue preservation in volcanic rock, expanding our understanding of how fossils form.
An international team led by Dr. Valentina Rossi from University College Cork, Ireland, studied the fossil, which was originally found near Rome in 1889.
The bird’s body was preserved in three dimensions, with fine details like eyelids and wing feathers still visible. What makes this discovery even more remarkable is that tiny pigment structures in the feathers have also been preserved.
Usually, fossilized feathers are found in mud deposits from ancient lakes or lagoons, not in volcanic ash.
“These feathers are nothing like what we usually see in other fossils,” said Dr. Rossi.
By using electron microscopes and chemical tests, the team found that the feathers had been preserved in a mineral called zeolite, something never before seen in fossilized soft tissues.
How did this happen?
Zeolites are minerals rich in silicon and aluminum, commonly found in volcanic and hydrothermal environments.
Normally, we think of volcanic eruptions as destructive forces that burn everything in their path.
However, this study shows that under the right conditions, volcanic ash can help preserve delicate soft tissues.
Dr. Rossi explains that water flowing through the ash likely triggered the formation of tiny zeolite nanocrystals, which replicated the feathers in incredible detail. This process allowed for preservation down to the cellular level.
A new way of fossilization
Professor Dawid A. Iurino from the University of Milan, a coordinator of the study, noted that volcanic deposits are often associated with hot, fast-moving currents that destroy soft tissues.
However, this research proves that low-temperature volcanic deposits can actually protect and preserve delicate biological structures.
Professor Maria McNamara from UCC added, “The fossil record continues to surprise us, whether it’s new species, strange body shapes, or, in this case, new ways fossils can be preserved.
We never expected to find such delicate structures in volcanic rock.”
This discovery suggests that volcanic rocks could hold more well-preserved fossils than previously thought. Scientists may need to take a closer look at similar deposits around the world for more fossilized soft tissues.
By understanding how volcanic conditions can preserve microscopic details, researchers may uncover more incredible fossils in the future. This vulture fossil has rewritten the rulebook on where and how delicate animal remains can be found, opening up exciting new possibilities for paleontology.
