Paleontologists in Denmark have made a bizarre yet groundbreaking discovery—a 66-million-year-old fossilized vomit, known as regurgitalite. This rare find offers an extraordinary glimpse into the ancient food chain of the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and marine predators ruled the seas.
Discovered by Peter Bennicke at Stevns Klint, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich fossil deposits, the specimen contains the remains of sea lilies, suggesting that a prehistoric fish or shark ate and then vomited up its meal. This discovery sheds new light on prehistoric predator-prey interactions and how marine ecosystems functioned just before the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
What Exactly Is Regurgitalite?
Regurgitalite is the fossilized remains of vomit, which occurs when a prehistoric animal eats something indigestible and then regurgitates it. Over millions of years, these remains become preserved in sedimentary rock, providing a snapshot of ancient feeding behaviors.
This discovery is significant because fossilized stomach contents and vomit are extremely rare. While fossils of bones, shells, and footprints tell us about the creatures that lived in the past, regurgitalite reveals direct evidence of prehistoric feeding habits, offering a unique perspective on ancient marine life.
The Discovery: What’s Inside the Fossilized Vomit?
Scientists identified two different species of sea lilies embedded within the regurgitalite. Sea lilies, also known as crinoids, are marine animals related to starfish and sea urchins. These creatures have long, feather-like arms used to capture food particles in the water.
Key Findings:
✔ Presence of Sea Lily Fragments – The fossilized vomit contained small, broken pieces of crinoids, indicating they were part of the predator’s diet.
✔ Evidence of Prehistoric Digestion – The sea lily fragments show signs of partial digestion, suggesting the predator initially tried to consume them but later vomited them out, possibly due to difficulty digesting their hard skeletons.
✔ Likely Predator: Ancient Fish or Shark – Based on the fossil’s composition and location, researchers believe the vomit was likely expelled by a large fish or an early species of shark.
Why Is This Fossilized Vomit Important?
While the idea of studying 66-million-year-old puke might sound humorous, this discovery provides valuable scientific insights into prehistoric life.
1. Understanding Ancient Food Chains
- This fossil offers direct evidence of what ancient marine creatures were eating.
- It helps reconstruct the Cretaceous marine food web, revealing which animals were preyed upon.
2. Clues About Prehistoric Digestion and Adaptation
- Certain marine animals may have struggled to digest hard-shelled organisms, forcing them to vomit up indigestible parts.
- This helps scientists understand how predators adapted to their diets over time.
3. Insight Into the Cretaceous Extinction Event
- The discovery was made in Stevns Klint, which contains evidence of the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.
- Studying marine fossils from this time can reveal how ecosystems changed leading up to the mass extinction event.
A One-of-a-Kind Fossil?
According to paleontologist Jesper Milan, this may be “the world’s most famous piece of puke ever.” While regurgitalite is rare, it has been found in other parts of the world. However, this particular discovery stands out because of:
✔ Its remarkable preservation.
✔ Its clear fossilized content (sea lilies).
✔ Its age—dating back just before the mass extinction that ended the Cretaceous period.
The Mystery of Prehistoric Vomiting: Why Did This Happen?
Why did an ancient fish or shark regurgitate this meal? Scientists believe several factors may have contributed:
1️⃣ Hard-to-Digest Food: Some prehistoric predators struggled to digest the calcium-rich skeletons of crinoids.
2️⃣ Defense Mechanism: Some prey may have been toxic or unpalatable, forcing the predator to expel them.
3️⃣ Digestive Overload: Eating too much at once may have triggered forced regurgitation, similar to what modern sharks do today.
Final Thoughts: A Glimpse Into Prehistoric Life
While fossilized bones and teeth are common, a preserved moment of an ancient creature’s digestive process is incredibly rare. This 66-million-year-old regurgitalite gives scientists a real-time snapshot of a meal gone wrong, revealing secrets of an ancient marine world just before the extinction of the dinosaurs.
As funny as it sounds, prehistoric puke is serious science—and this discovery reminds us how much even the smallest traces of the past can teach us about life on Earth.