In the southwest of France, a network of caves known as phosphatic deposits holds an exceptional collection of fossils. These remains, dating from 52 to 20 million years ago, provide critical insights into a pivotal era in the history of biodiversity. A video report produced in partnership with CNRS Le Journal highlights how these well-preserved specimens document the "Grande Coupure," a period characterized by the disappearance of numerous animal species and the subsequent renewal of European fauna.
The fossils found within these caves serve as witnesses to a major climatic upheaval that began approximately 34 million years ago. This event marked the onset of a long era of global cooling, which drastically altered the environment and forced significant evolutionary changes. The collection includes fossilized bones from animals of various sizes, ranging from bats to the chalicothere, an extinct mammal often described as a "gorilla-horse." These diverse remains allow scientists to reconstruct the specific impacts of this climatic shift on the region's wildlife.
The phosphatic caves of the Lot department are particularly valuable because of the exceptional state of preservation of the fossils they contain. By studying these ancient bones, researchers can trace the timeline of species extinction and emergence during a time when the Earth's climate was undergoing profound transformation. The visual documentation provided by the report underscores the importance of this site in understanding how past climatic events have shaped the course of biological evolution.
Sources: Le Monde Sciences.