In a twist of fate deep in the chalky cliffs of Denmark, a piece of ancient regurgitation has stunned scientists and fossil enthusiasts alike. This isn’t ordinary debris. It is a 66-million-year-old fossilized remnant of animal vomit that offers a window into the murky depths of prehistoric oceans.

Local fossil hunter Peter Bennicke made the discovery on the famous Stevns Klint, a UNESCO-listed site known for its fossil riches. The find has set off a flurry of excitement among researchers trying to decode the food chains of the Cretaceous period.

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The find occurred at Stevns Klint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Unearthing Prehistoric Secrets

Bennicke found unusual fragments embedded in chalk. Closer examination revealed that these pieces were not random rock but the remains of sea lilies. These marine animals, which are relatives of starfish and sea urchins, have a hard, calcified structure that often withstands the ravages of time. Researchers believe that a fish or possibly a shark consumed these sea lilies and could not digest their tough skeletons, leading to regurgitation. As reported by The Guardian, the fossil dates back to the end of the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the land.

The fossil was carefully examined at the Museum of East Zealand, which confirmed its age and unique composition. The specimen is more than just a quirky oddity; it is a clue to the diet and behavior of ancient marine predators.

In simple terms, it tells us about who ate what in an ancient underwater world, and how even the act of vomiting can provide vital clues to the ecological puzzle of the past.

Photo: YouTube/WONDER WORLD

The fossilized piece of vomit dates back 66 million years.

Clues to Cretaceous Food Chains

Paleontologist Jesper Milan of the Geomuseum Faxe explains that such a discovery is rare and valuable. The fossilized vomit, scientifically known as regurgitalite, captures a moment in time when marine predators dealt with indigestible prey. According to Discover Wildlife, the remains include pieces from at least two different species of sea lilies. Their presence in the fossil indicates that the predator ingested multiple organisms during one feeding session. This gives scientists a detailed glimpse into the bottom-dwelling ecosystems of the Cretaceous seas.

Researchers suggest that the animal behind this unusual event was likely a bottom-dwelling shark. Its crushing teeth would have been well suited to processing hard parts of sea lilies. Speaking to the The New York Times, Milan speculated that the closest modern-day equivalent of this predator could be the Port Jackson shark, found off the coast of Australia.

While sharks have long been known as efficient predators, this discovery underlines that their ancient relatives also had to contend with a challenging menu.

Photo: Pexels

The vomit contained regurgitated sea lily remains.

A Window Into Ancient Marine Ecosystems

This fossil provides more than a novelty headline. It serves as an archive of a long-lost underwater ecosystem. The hard remains of sea lilies reveal what the predator did not digest. Such evidence enriches our understanding of the food web dynamics during a time when the world was dominated by dinosaurs on land and a host of peculiar creatures in the sea. According to BBC News, the regurgitated remains help map out the predator-prey relationships that existed 66 million years ago.

The find also carries legal and cultural significance in Denmark. Known locally as “danekræ,” objects of such exceptional natural historical value must be turned over to a museum. This ensures that the fossil remains in the public domain and can be studied by experts, a policy enforced by local heritage laws. The specimen is set to be displayed at Geomuseum Faxe, allowing both scientists and the public to marvel at this ancient phenomenon.