Jehol Biota, Early Cretaceous fossil site in northeastern China.
The Jehol Biota is a fossil site with exceptionally preserved remains of birds, dinosaurs, mammals, and plants from the Early Cretaceous period. These organisms were buried approximately 133 to 120 million years ago in multiple sediment layers spread across Hebei, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia.
The site was first documented by scientists in 1959 and received its formal name in 1962 when researcher Gu published the designation. This naming replaced earlier terms and established it as an internationally recognized paleontological locality.
The name Jehol comes from the former Rehe Province and links this place to the region's paleontological heritage in the minds of local people. This historical name connects local identity with global scientific interest in the site.
The site spans three rock formations called Huajiying, Yixian, and Jiufotang across the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia. Visitors should note the different locations and check accessibility details before planning a visit to any specific formation.
The exceptional preservation quality allows study of tiny details like feathers, stomach contents, and even color markings of ancient organisms. Such detailed glimpses into life from millions of years ago are not possible at most other excavation sites.
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