Chapter 197 200 Million Years Ago

After Zhou Xixian and Ye Bo's assistant left, they were waiting for the identification results.

The age identification of fossils is actually not difficult. The relative age has always been determined based on the stratum in which it was found. However, since people's understanding of atoms has gradually deepened, scientists have found a way to determine the absolute age.

Most of the substances found in nature are composed of several isotopes (that is, various atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers). Some isotopes are radioactive, that is, their nuclei emit light spontaneously and gradually disintegrate into another substance. For example, the radioactive isotope 14C is transformed into 14N.

Each radioisotope has its own rate of decay known as the "half-life"—the time it takes for half of a substance's atomic number to decay. Therefore, if we know the half-lives of various isotopes, it is not difficult to calculate the age of an object containing that isotope, just by measuring how much of that isotope is left.

The two most widely used methods at present, one is the 14C method, which is used to identify organic matter; the other is the 40K-40Ar method to identify volcanic strata and its related fossils. Taking the 40K-40Ar method as an example, argon is a decay product of the radioactive isotope potassium, which has a half-life of 1.3 billion years, so it is easy to determine the age of the specimen. At present, the method has been developed to be extremely precise, which can not only identify specimens with a history of only about 50,000 years, but also identify specimens with the same age as the earth, with only a small error.

After a while, Zhou Xixian's assistant called back first.

"Has the appraisal result come out?" Zhou Xixian stepped aside and asked in a low voice.

"The result is out, about 200 million years ago." An excited voice came from the phone.

"Did you make a mistake?" Zhou Xixian's pupils suddenly lit up, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement. 200 million years ago, in other words, the late Triassic period, a little earlier than the Jurassic period in which the dinosaurs lived.

"It's impossible to be mistaken, we have identified it twice, teacher, this fossil is of extraordinary value..."

"I need you to tell me." Zhou Xixian was afraid that Ye Bo would hear it, so he hung up the phone quickly, suppressed his excitement, and walked towards Su Jing, intending to take the lead and take down the fossil.

Who knows, Ye Bo's excited voice sounded at this time: "What? 200 million years ago?" Ye Bo was on the phone. Obviously, his assistant had also completed the identification and got the same result.

"Mr. Su, this fossil must be brought back to the Institute of Archaeology by me." Zhou Xixian knew that the plan to take it secretly was in vain, so he took the lead.

"Nonsense, do you understand what is first come first served? I should bring it back to the Institute of Paleontology." Ye Bo was also very excited. This spider fossil is at least 3,500 years earlier than the earliest relatively complete spider fossil discovered so far. ten thousand years. There is no doubt that this is a precious fossil with great archaeological and research value.

"Then let's compete fairly, I'll pay 100,000." Zhou Xixian said.

"I... I'll pay 150,000 yuan." Ye Bo twitched his mouth and became anxious, because he knew that if he used money to fight for it, he couldn't grab it at all. Lao Zhou himself is very rich.

"300,000." Zhou Xi calmly said.

"Thirty... three hundred and fifty thousand." Ye Bo went out of his way.

"500,000." Zhou Xixian said lightly, Ye Bo was at a loss for words, he was so angry that he blew his beard and stared, his face flushed, Zhou Xixian smiled, "Haha, it seems that this fossil belongs to me."

"Old Zhou, I think this fossil is more than this price." Su Jing smiled.

"I can't say the same. For ordinary people, this fossil is just a stone. Only old people like us like it, so it is unlikely that you want to sell it for a high price." Zhou Xixian waved his hand.

"Don't listen to him, this fossil is worth at least one million if you sell it at the auction." Ye Bo couldn't get it himself, but he didn't want Zhou Xixian to get it so easily. It is estimated that many collectors like this unique fossil. If they really want to sell it, it will not be less than one million. If no earlier spider fossils are found in the next few years, the price will rise.

"You immortal, strictly speaking, this fossil belongs to the state property. Can it be sold at auction? Bring it back to the Institute of Archaeology for me to contribute to the country." Zhou Xixian said angrily, but it was true Afraid that Su Jing would sell it, he said, "One million is only one million, how about Mr. Su who can sell it to me?"

Ye Bo didn't speak anymore. He didn't really want Su Jing to sell the fossils at the auction. In comparison, selling to the Institute of Archaeology is still much better than selling to private individuals. Just have fun.

"Okay Zhou Lao, I will sell it to you for one million, but there is a condition. When you don't need this fossil, occasionally give it to Mr. Ye for research." Su Jing said, just released the spiritual power detection, according to Zhou Xixian's From the perspective of mental fluctuations, this should be his highest price, and if it goes up, he probably won't buy it. Such a piece of fossil that is useless to him, even sold for one million after changing hands. This business is not done for nothing. As for speaking for Ye Bo, it was in the face of Xue Zonghong.

"Well, that's fine. If you have any fossils in the future, remember to come to me." Zhou Xixian glanced at Ye Bo and reluctantly agreed. For fear that Su Jing would go back on his words, he immediately transferred a hundred to Su Jing. Ten thousand.

"Thank you, Mr. Su." Ye Bo also smiled.

"It's just a little effort." Su Jing smiled.

Not far away, Li Guanglei and others who heard the conversation faintly couldn't help being surprised. No wonder Su Jing was so rich and could afford to build such a building. The first floor was even reinforced with alloy plates. It turned out that he made money so easily. Sell ​​one million. Whenever I go to pick up a few fossils myself, see if I can sell them for tens of millions.

"Speaking of which, it's a bit strange that this spider is so well-preserved." Zhou Xixian held the fossil in his arms and said doubtfully. Ye Bo didn't speak, but nodded in agreement.

"Why is it strange?" Su Jing asked.

"The most complete spider fossil found before this is because it was buried by fine volcanic ash, so the fragile outer marrow was not destroyed, but just squashed, but this one, obviously not, I don't know why? " Zhou Xixian said.

"This... If you don't know, it's even more impossible for me to know." Su Jing said this, but his heart was stunned. Is it because of the strong body of the spider in the world of mortal Xiuxianzhuan? For example, the giant spider, which was hit by a rock, did not die immediately, and its body was basically intact. If it were an earth spider, it would have become a meat pie. However, the reason for this, of course, cannot be stated.

"Well, take it back and study it." Zhou Xixian greeted his assistant, picked up the fossil, and left happily. Ye Bo also said goodbye to Su Jing and left. Looking at the backs of the two of them, Su Jing thought to himself, I hope they don't waste too much time on it, after all, no matter what they research, they are actually very different from the earth.