Current Date: 08 Oct, 2025
{{entry.title}}

Canadian Schoolteacher Discovers a Fossil That May Be 300 Million Years Old

School teacher discovers extremely rare fossil of unknown animal that maybe 300 million years old. One high school teacher was walking her dog when she made a once-in-a-lifetime find. It turns out that the fossil is probably 300 million years old and came from an extinct species of reptile.

A Canadian schoolteacher recently made a discovery that paleontologists are referring to as a lifetime find.

It may be 300 million years old, represent a brand-new prehistoric species to science, and at most be a “once in a hundred years” discovery that might fundamentally alter the fossil record.

Southwest Prince Edward Island (PEI) resident Lisa Cormier was out on a stroll when she came across what seemed to be a skeleton.

Canadian Schoolteacher Discovers a Fossil That May Be 300 Million Years Old 1
Part of the fossil that was found on Prince Edward Island, Canada, is believed to be about 300 million years old, which would make it older than the first dinosaurs, according to paleontologists. (Photo courtesy of Laura MacNeil/Prehistoric Island Tours)

The head, ribs, and spine were all embedded in the stone like fossilized remains. Geologists and paleontologists raced to the cape after she took images and forwarded them to her mother, starting a domino effect.

It was a fossil, and prehistoric PEI specialist John Calder told CBC news that it was “very unusual.”

“A fossil like this comes up every 50 years or 100 years,” he said. “I mean there’s no real frequency, but it’s rare. And this could be a one-of-a-kind fossil in the tree of life … of the evolution of amphibians, to reptiles, to mammals to us.”

Canadian Schoolteacher Discovers a Fossil That May Be 300 Million Years Old 2
Paleontologists and researchers excavate the fossil found on a beach on Prince Edward Island in Canada in August 2022. (Photo courtesy of Laura MacNeil/Prehistoric Island Tours)

Calder thinks it’s an early reptile that diverged from amphibians roughly 300 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period. It may be difficult to determine this period’s position in the development of reptiles or even its exact time in history because so few specimens from it are known.

The researcher cautioned beachgoers to keep an eye out because there are many more beachcombers than there are paleontologists, in addition to the fact that prehistoric finds are becoming more regular.

“To think that I found something that might be 300 million years old, it’s incredible,” Cormier said. “I think it’s gonna be a one-time [thing], but I’ll continue my walks and I’m going to continue to look for sea glass and maybe I’ll find something else.”

Similar Stories
How Sleep Cycles Affect Cognitive Function and Memory Retention

How Sleep Cycles Affect Cognitive Function and Memory Retention

Sleep is not just rest—it's an active process where our brain cycles through stages that shape cognition, memory, and overall mental performance. Different sleep phases, from deep slow-wave sleep to REM dreaming, play unique roles in consolidating memories, boosting attention, and refreshing brain networks. Explore how sleep cycles work and why they are essential to learning and sharp thinking.

The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’

The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’

Ella Harper, Professionally known as the “Camel Girl” was born with a rare orthopedic condition that cased her knee to bend backward. Due to this condition, had to walked on all four legs, which resulted in her nickname as “Camel Girl”. Tough it was hard at first, but soon she made a fortune out of it.

The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski

The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski

Stephen Bibrowski, also known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a well-known sideshow entertainer. His entire body was covered in long hair, giving him the appearance of a lion; this was most likely due to a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. Lionel traveled to the United States in 1901 and began performing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

The World’s First Seismograph: How Ancient China Detected Earthquakes 1,800 Years Ago

The World’s First Seismograph: How Ancient China Detected Earthquakes 1,800 Years Ago

Over 1,800 years ago, long before modern technology, the ancient Chinese astronomer and inventor Zhang Heng created the world’s first seismograph in 132 AD. This ingenious bronze device could detect distant earthquakes by releasing small balls from dragons’ mouths into toads’ mouths—each indicating a different compass direction. Its historic detection of an earthquake 400 miles away astonished the imperial court and transformed the way societies understood and responded to seismic events.

Earthquakes: Can Animals Really Predict Them?

Earthquakes: Can Animals Really Predict Them?

In 1975, when officials in the Chinese city of Haicheng were alarmed by odd and anxious behaviors of dogs and other animals. These observations led them to order 90,000 residents to evacuate the city. Only a few hours later a 7.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed nearly 90% of the city’s buildings.

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

The Evolution of Flight: From Dinosaurs to Birds – A Journey Through Time and Science

The Evolution of Flight: From Dinosaurs to Birds – A Journey Through Time and Science

Flight is one of nature’s most remarkable adaptations, but its origins trace back millions of years before modern birds took to the skies. Emerging from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, birds evolved feathers, wings, and lightweight bodies that enabled powered flight. This detailed narrative explores the fascinating evolutionary path from ground-dwelling dinosaurs to the aerial masters of today, blending science, intriguing fossil finds, and surprising trivia about our feathered ancestors.

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

In 1939, George Dantzig arrived late to his statistics class. On the board were two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics written as an example by his professor. Dantzig mistook the examples for homework assignments. He solved the “unsolved” problems and submitted the homework to his professor a few days later. His solutions earned him a doctorate.

Woman's memory reset every two hours after traumatic accident

Woman's memory reset every two hours after traumatic accident

Riley Horner, an Illinois teenager was accidentally kicked in the head. As a result of the injury, her memory resets every two hours, and she wakes up thinking every day is June 11. Riley keeps detailed notes of events happening throughout the day, and sets an alarm on her phone every two hours to remind her to review them. Riley also keeps a calendar in her room to remind her what day it is? As she wakes up every morning confused, thinking it's still June 11.

The Science Behind Pigeons in Cancer Detection and What It Means for Medicine

The Science Behind Pigeons in Cancer Detection and What It Means for Medicine

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered that pigeons can be trained to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in medical images with accuracy rivaling that of human experts. This surprising capability opens new avenues for understanding visual perception and has potential implications for improving diagnostic tools in medicine. Here is the fascinating science behind pigeons’ ability to spot cancer and what it signifies for the future of medical imaging.