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Construction workers in Southern California have made a wild discovery. They were digging at a building
site in San Timoteo Canyon (峡谷) when they unearthed hundreds of ancient animal fossils. Researchers say
the bones hold important clues about the history of the region.
Nearly 1, 500 fossils were recovered from the dusty canyon. The remains are about 1.4 million years old.
They include the bones of a new species of deer, several small rodents (啮齿目动物) and more. A giant cat
fossil was also found. Scientists believe the animal was an ancestor of the saber- toothed tiger. Signs of plant
life were uncovered as well.
"This is a huge find," says Rick Greenwood, a scientist studying the site. "I don't think most people had
any idea that those types of animals were wandering around here more than a million years ago."
San Timoteo Canyon is located about 85 miles from Los Angeles. The area of the canyon where the fossils
were found was once part of a green river valley. Today, the region is dry and plant life is rare.
Most of the fossils are well preserved. Experts say a muddy lake bed may have trapped thirty animals that
wandered over for a drink. The mud helped to protect the animal fossils.
The remains are a million years older than those discovered at the famous La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Scientists studying the bones will be able to learn more about how the animals adapted to changes in the
environment.
"We have a confused view of what this time period was like," says another scientist. "A discovery like this
could really be an important contribution."
About 35 different animal species are represented in the fossil collection. Scientists began removing bones
from the site last fall. The project was completed this summer. Starting next year, the fossils will be on display
at the Western Science Center in the nearby city of Hemet, California.
1. What does the passage mainly focus on?
A. The secret of ancient animals' deaths.
B. The preparation for a future fossil exhibition.
C. A great discovery of fossils.
D. The history of San Timoteo Canyon.
2. From what Rick says, we know ______.
A. fossils were discovered in the canyon for the first time.
B. the canyon in ancient times was quite different.
C. more research work will be carried on in the canyon.
D. the river water helped to protect the animal fossils.
3. Compared to the discovery at the La Brea Tar Pits, the canyon-involved fossils ______.
A. are far older
B. include more species
C. are better preserved
D. make experts more confused
4. What do we know about the fossils from the passage?
A. All of them are of new species.
B. Some of them have been destroyed.
C. They were looked for under experts' guidance.
D. They will be on show in the near future.
