Fine selection of ancient fossils from Guizhou

Author: Guizhou Provincial Department of Land and Resources
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Guizhou is known as the Kingdom of Fossilized Ancient Life. The fossil groups in Guizhou display life before the early animal radiation (600 million years ago), with particularly rich resources of fossils such as "Guizhou Dragon" and "Crinoids," earning it the title of a fossil kingdom. This album combines both popular science and artistic appreciation. It introduces various types of fossil groups in Guizhou, including the Weng'an Biota, Miaohé Biota, Kaili Biota, Guizhou Dragon Fauna, and Guanling Fossil Group. This illustrated book, which integrates text, illustrations, and photographs, aims to promote and showcase Guizhou's abundant fossil resources and research achievements. It is both scientifically rigorous and engaging, ensuring readability and interest. The chapters are organized around several key biotas discovered in Guizhou over the past 20 years, fully reflecting the current state of paleontological research in the province. The overview briefly introduces the main fossil assemblages from different geological periods in Guizhou and highlights their significant scientific value, providing readers with a general understanding of the province's fossil landscape. The selection of fossil specimens in this book is based on their ability to represent the characteristics of the biotas, balancing scientific accuracy with aesthetic appeal. It primarily features specimens preserved in institutions within the province that have been systematically studied, named, and published. Specimens with significant scientific and aesthetic value preserved outside the province have been included as much as possible. Specimens that have not yet been systematically studied, named, or published but possess important scientific and aesthetic value have been selectively included, though they are generally only categorized broadly.