Ancient Bird Fossils Found
- Share via
BEIJING — Chinese archeologists have found the fossils of two 150-million-year-old bird-like creatures with feathers on their legs and named them Chinese Sage Confucius birds, the New China News Agency said Friday.
The fossils are believed to be the oldest of more than 20 ancient birds discovered in the western part of Liaoning province, the agency said.
The two fossils were found in lake strata deposits 168 miles from the provincial capital of Shenyang. They are probably the ancestors of modern birds, Gu Yucai, the chief of Liaoning Institute of Archeology, told the agency.
One fossil appeared to be complete and resembles ancient bird fossils of the same period found in Germany in 1862, the agency said.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.