Scientists found the fossil of an ancient squid of the species Belemnotheutis antiquus at a dig near Trowbridge, England, when they reopened an archaeological site that had been abandoned for 170 years. Inside there was a one-inch black ink sac that still contained ink granules. As an experiment, researchers ground up a small portion of the ink and dissolved it in an ammonia solution. Then they used the sample to draw a picture of what the squid may have once looked like! Excavation leader Dr. Phil Wilby said,
A sample of the ink has been sent to Yale University for further analysis. Link -via the Presurfer
(image credit: BMPS)
"It is difficult to imagine how you can have something as soft and sloppy as an ink sac fossilised in three dimension, still black, and inside a rock that is 150 million years old.
"The structure is similar to ink from a modern squid so we can write with it. I suppose we could theoretically use it for food colouring, too, but I don't think I will try tasting it."
A sample of the ink has been sent to Yale University for further analysis. Link -via the Presurfer
(image credit: BMPS)
Totally cool. I loves me some history and dead things.
Hmm, I think I just came up with the outline of a cheesy horror flick :D Enthusiastic nerd gets tattoo from ancient ink sac, becomes some sort of horrible squid-man. Ends with the protagonist enjoying a plate of calamari