Core Insights - The research team led by Professor Zhang Zhifei from Northwest University has successfully uncovered the mystery of Cambrian small shell fossil preservation after seven years of effort [1][2] - The study reveals that small shell fossils can be preserved through various methods, including phosphatization, dolomitization, and glauconitization, with phosphatization not being the dominant preservation method in the late Cambrian [1][2] Research Findings - The research involved the acid treatment of nearly 8 tons of Cambrian carbonate rock samples, resulting in the successful extraction of over 35,000 small shell fossils [2] - Advanced analytical techniques such as micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to discover the diverse preservation methods of small shell fossils [2] - The study confirms that phosphatic deposition is not the primary factor controlling the production of high-quality small shell fossils, suggesting alternative preservation mechanisms [2] Implications - This research provides a new perspective for the search and interpretation of early life fossils, demonstrating that life evolution evidence can be preserved even under unfavorable conditions lacking phosphates [2] - The findings are expected to significantly advance the understanding of the mineralization mechanisms of animal skeletons and the early evolutionary processes [2]