[Rockhounds] Lost fossil 'treasure trove' rediscovered after 70 years

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Scientists have finally rediscovered a lost fossil site in Brazil, after
the researchers who originally discovered it 70 years ago were unable to
retrace their steps to the remote location. The unique geologic conditions
at the long-lost site preserve paleontological treasures that could help
shed light on one of the biggest extinction events in *Earth*
<https://www.livescience.com/earth.html>'s history.

The rediscovered site, which is known as Cerro Chato, is located near
Brazil's border with Uruguay in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Around 260 million years ago, towards the end of the Permian period (299
million to 251 million years ago) conditions at the site were ideal for
trapping and preserving dead organisms. As a result, multiple rocky layers
at Cerro Chato are chock-full of delicate fossils — especially plants,
which typically do not fossilize as well as animals do because they lack
hard parts.

Paleontologists who first discovered Cerro Chato in 1951 were excited by
its exceptionally well-preserved Permian remains. Unfortunately, without
memorable landmarks or modern technologies, such as GPS, the researchers
were unable to accurately record the exact geographical coordinates of the
site, and when they attempted to return to the Permian treasure trove they
could not find it. After several attempts to retrace their steps, the team
gave up the search and declared the site lost. However, a new group of
researchers took up the mantle and successfully found the lost location in
2019.

https://www.livescience.com/lost-fossil-site-rediscovered