The Burgess Shale fossils

The Burgess Shale is a famous fossil site in Canada that dates back about 500 million years. It contains exceptionally well-preserved fossils of soft-bodied creatures from the Cambrian Explosion, a period when many diverse animal forms first appeared. These fossils offer valuable insights into early animal evolution, revealing strange and primitive organisms that are difficult to find elsewhere. The Burgess Shale helps scientists understand the origins of complex life and the diversity that emerged over half a billion years ago. Its preservation is so detailed that it shows soft tissues, providing a rare window into ancient marine ecosystems.