CultureAugust 12, 2026

microfossils

MY-kroh-fos-uhlz

Definition

Remains or traces of ancient organisms that are so small they can only be studied with a microscope, such as starch grains or yeast cells.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'mikros' meaning 'small' and the Latin 'fossilis' meaning 'dug up.' The term was coined in the early 20th century to describe the tiny biological remnants used by scientists to analyze past environments.

In the news

The article mentions that the discovery of plant microfossils within the ancient liquid provides an unusually detailed record of what the people of the Qin state were brewing 2,300 years ago.

2,300-Year-Old Beer Found Sealed Inside a Bronze Bottle in China

Read the full article ↗

Arkeonews

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