Researchers uncovered a fossil timeline of the first million years after the dinosaurs went extinct in Colorado's Corral Bluffs. As seen in these fossils, the mammals grew larger over time. These four mammal skulls represent Loxolophus, Carsioptychus, Taeniolabis and Eoconodon (left to right).
Researchers uncovered a fossil timeline of the first million years after the dinosaurs went extinct in Colorado's Corral Bluffs. As seen in these fossils, the mammals grew larger over time. These four mammal skulls represent Loxolophus, Carsioptychus, Taeniolabis and Eoconodon (left to right).
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Tyler Lyson used a rock hammer to split open concretions found at the site. Concretions are egg-shaped rocks that form around an organic nucleus like bone.
Tyler Lyson used a rock hammer to split open concretions found at the site. Concretions are egg-shaped rocks that form around an organic nucleus like bone.
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This split concretion reveals the cross section of a vertebrate skull inside.
This split concretion reveals the cross section of a vertebrate skull inside.
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A collection of mammal skull fossils and lower jaws retrieved from Corral Bluffs.
A collection of mammal skull fossils and lower jaws retrieved from Corral Bluffs.
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This is a skull of Taeniolabis taoensis, which appeared approximately 700,000 years after the mass extinction event. It was an herbivore that came on the scene at the same time as the world's oldest legume plant fossil.
This is a skull of Taeniolabis taoensis, which appeared approximately 700,000 years after the mass extinction event. It was an herbivore that came on the scene at the same time as the world's oldest legume plant fossil.
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This is a CGI rendering of the ancient Taeniolabis mammal. The rendering was taken from the PBS NOVA special "Rise of the Mammals."
This is a CGI rendering of the ancient Taeniolabis mammal. The rendering was taken from the PBS NOVA special "Rise of the Mammals."
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Corral Bluffs is located outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Corral Bluffs is located outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Corral Bluffs contains 300 vertical feet of rock, including hard yellow sandstone and mudstones, which represent ancient rivers and floodplains, respectively.
Corral Bluffs contains 300 vertical feet of rock, including hard yellow sandstone and mudstones, which represent ancient rivers and floodplains, respectively.
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Ian Miller (left) and Lyson found a wealth of fossils representing not just animals, but plants as well.
Ian Miller (left) and Lyson found a wealth of fossils representing not just animals, but plants as well.
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A fossilized fern found at the site. Ferns usually pop up in areas hit by disaster.
A fossilized fern found at the site. Ferns usually pop up in areas hit by disaster.
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More than 6,000 leaves were collected. Plant fossils help tell the story of how the environment and forests bounced back over time.
More than 6,000 leaves were collected. Plant fossils help tell the story of how the environment and forests bounced back over time.
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About 200,000 years after the extinction event, mammals like Loxolophus could find food in forests dominated by palm trees.
About 200,000 years after the extinction event, mammals like Loxolophus could find food in forests dominated by palm trees.
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Mammals grew and diversified as forests and vegetation expanded, like Carsioptychus, around 300,000 years ago.
Mammals grew and diversified as forests and vegetation expanded, like Carsioptychus, around 300,000 years ago.
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