The earliest fossil grape from the Western Hemisphere is approximately 60 million years old, scientists discovered.
Posted on 07/02/2024 7:45:44 AM PDT by SJackson
Those who enjoy wine may have prehistoric reptiles to thank for today's beverages
The earliest fossil grape from the Western Hemisphere is approximately 60 million years old, scientists discovered.
A group of scientists with Chicago's Field Museum recently discovered grape fossil seeds that could connect dinosaurs to today's numerous wine offerings.
The South America study found nine new species of fossil grapes dating back to at least 19 million years ago — with the oldest one found in a 60-million-year-old rock.
Dr. Fabiany Herrera, assistant curator of paleobotany at The Field Museum, led the study.
The discovery proved that grapes spread across the world after the extinction of the dinosaurs, as a press release noted.
"These are the oldest grapes ever found in this part of the world, and they’re a few million years younger than the oldest ones ever found on the other side of the planet," Herrera said in the release.
The seeds found in Colombia, Panama and Peru could be anywhere between 19 and 60 million years old, according to the press release.
Dr. Monica Carvalho, an assistant curator at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Paleontology and the study’s co-author, said that years ago, dinosaurs were likely knocking down trees while moving through the forests — ultimately leading ecosystems to die out.
"We think that if there were large dinosaurs roaming through the forest, they were likely knocking down trees, effectively making forests more open than they are today," she said in a media statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
We think that if there were large dinosaurs roaming through the forest, they were likely knocking down trees, effectively making forests more open than they are today
And voila!
Thanks SJackson.
What a silly title and premise.
I think my imagination went a little wild and X-rated with those pictures.
Wasn’t Ripple made from those grapes?
Sure did taste like it.
What do dinosaurs have to do with grapes? if my maths are correct dinosaurs were wiped out 5 million years before grapes evolved.
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