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Explore the Cambrian explosion and the significant appearance of animal fossil remains in this fourth lecture from palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris's 1996 Christmas Lecture series at The Royal Institution. Delve into how fossils from this pivotal period help scientists understand creature evolution into today's mammals, including whales, through demonstration-packed explanations and fossil analysis. Examine fossil markings using examples like a giant millipede to understand how these ancient traces reveal the history of life on Earth. Learn how palaeontological evidence pieces together the story of prehistoric development and the evolutionary pathways that led to modern animal forms. Discover the scientific methods used to interpret fossil records and understand the innovations that emerged during one of the most important periods in Earth's biological history.
