Scientists found a fossilized feather of an ancient vulture in Italy: what makes it unique

Scientists have finally figured out how the feathers of a 30,000-year-old white-headed vulture retained an incredible level of detail. The unique fossil, discovered in 1889 near Rome in the Colli Albani volcanic complex, shows even the finest elements of wing and eyelid feathers.

According to a new study published in the journal Geology, the key to the solution was microscopic silicon crystals called zeolites. They were formed as a result of burying the bird's remains in the ash of a volcanic eruption. This is reported by Live Science.

"This is the first known case of preservation of fossilized feathers in volcanic ash," - said lead researcher Valentina Rossi of University College Cork. "Feathers are usually preserved in the sediments of ancient lakes or lagoons. By analyzing these remains, we were actually exploring uncharted territory."

The story of the discovery began with a local landowner who discovered the fossil in the foothills of Mount Tuscolo. Unfortunately, over time, much of the find was lost - only the feathers of one wing, the bird's head and neck remained.

Using electron microscopes and chemical analysis, the scientists found that the feathers were preserved in three-dimensional form, which is extremely rare. Usually, fossilized feathers leave only two-dimensional carbon prints. The researchers were able to see structural details as small as one micron and found out that the feathers are made of zeolite.

"Zeolites are minerals enriched in silicon and aluminum that are characteristic of volcanic environments. They can form as primary minerals with beautiful crystals or be formed secondary to the natural transformation of volcanic glass and ash," Rossi explains.

The analysis showed that the vulture was probably buried in a cloud of volcanic ash, much colder than the famous pyroclastic flows of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii. Over the course of several days, the ash crystallized into zeolite by reacting with water, and the miniature crystals gradually replaced every cell and part of the bird.

Study co-author David Jurino of the University of Milan adds: "While volcanic deposits are associated with hot pyroclastic flows that typically destroy soft tissue, there are also low-temperature deposits that can preserve soft tissue at the cellular level."

This discovery opens up new perspectives for paleontology. "Fossils constantly surprise us. We never expected to find such delicate tissues as feathers preserved in volcanic rock. This expands the range of potential environments where we can look for fossils, even those that preserve the most delicate soft tissues," summarizes Maria McNamara, co-author of the study.

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