Ten previously unknown species of trilobites have been unearthed from a layer of ancient ash in Thailand, shedding light on long-standing mysteries of the Earth's past. These remarkable findings offer valuable insights into the intricate puzzle of ancient world geography and evolutionary history.

Trilobites, extinct sea creatures with distinctive half-moon-shaped heads, were known for breathing through their legs. Detailed information about the newly discovered species has been published in a 100-page article in a British journal, with one species even named in honor of Thai Royal Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The trilobite fossils were preserved within layers of petrified ash, known as tuff, which formed on the sea floor during ancient volcanic eruptions. Unlike other types of rocks or sediment, tuffs contain zircon crystals that offer exceptional stability and resistance to erosion. By analyzing these crystals, scientists can determine the age of the fossils and gain insights into the geological history of the region.

This discovery is particularly significant because tuffs from the late Cambrian period, where these trilobite fossils were found, are rare and poorly dated. The age of the eruption and the fossils found in Thailand can now be accurately determined, providing a basis for understanding similar fossils found in other parts of the world that could not be previously dated.

The research team, led by scientists from UC Riverside, believes that these findings will help unravel the complex relationships between different regions during the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland. By piecing together this ancient puzzle, scientists can better comprehend the ever-changing nature of Earth's geography and gain valuable insights into our planet's evolutionary history.