A bizarre discovery has been made in Denmark, where scientists found fossilized vomit from 66 million years ago. The piece of “Danish puke,” known as regurgitalite or simply “vomit,” was found in a white chalk cliff on the island of Zealand and is now being displayed at the Geomuseum Faxe.
The vomit, which resembles sea lilies, was presumably eaten by a bottom-dwelling shark with crushing teeth, according to curator Jesper Milían. The discovery has sparked widespread interest globally, particularly among journalists who see it as a funny story that resonates with the world’s current events.
Milían suggested this might be why vomit gained so much attention: it’s a “funny story” that people can relate to, especially given the world’s current challenges. The piece is considered of “exceptional natural historical value,” meaning it will be transferred to Denmark’s natural history museums for preservation and study.
Dr. Milían described this as the “most famous piece of puke in the world.” The vomit sample will be displayed during the winter holidays, offering a unique glimpse into Earth’s ancient past while also providing entertainment for readers with a sense of humor about human history.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/science/vomit-fossil-denmark.html