Scottish Fossil Reveals 410-Million-Year-Old Life Form Unlike Anything on Earth

Scientists may have discovered a new extinct form of life

Prototaxites are something of a prehistoric mystery. They were the first giant organisms on land, towering over ancient landscapes at heights of up to 8 meters. They had smooth trunk-like pillars and no branches, leaves or flowers. And unlike trees, they had no true root system. Instead, they may have been anchored to the ground by a simple bulbous base.

The First Great Forests Were Neither Fungus Nor Plant, But Lifeforms Without Living Descendants

Once these were the largest and most dominant living things on land, but their greatness did not ensure survival.

The 410 million-year-old fossil found in Scotland which represents 'a new lifeform'

The fossil is neither a plant nor fungus - but from its own distinct evolutionary path.

Scientists discover new form of life an hour's drive from Aberdeen

Scientists have confirmed that a fossil unearthed in Scotland represents a completely new form of life

Mysterious Giants Could Be a Whole New Kind of Life That No Longer Exists

Ever since their discovery more than 165 years ago, massive fossilized structures left by an organism known as Prototaxites have proven impossible to categorize.

Fossil dating 410 million years old identified as ‘new form of life' goes on display at Scots museum

Prototaxites fossils are neither plant or fungus.