Rare 120-million-year-old fossil reveals previously unknown four-winged dinosaur

Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of four-winged dinosaur from a fossil estimated to be around 120 million years old, offering new insights into the evolution of flight among prehistoric creatures.

The remarkably preserved fossil was discovered in China and belongs to a small feathered dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. Researchers said the specimen displayed feathers on both its forelimbs and hind limbs, giving it the appearance of having four wings.

The discovery adds to growing evidence that the evolution of flight was more complex than previously believed, with multiple dinosaur species developing different aerodynamic features before the emergence of modern birds.

Scientists believe the newly identified species may have used its feathered limbs to glide between trees or assist in controlled aerial movement, rather than achieving sustained powered flight.

The fossil's preservation allowed researchers to examine feather structures and skeletal features in unusual detail, helping them better understand how early feathered dinosaurs adapted to their environments.

Experts say the finding contributes to ongoing research into the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds, providing fresh evidence of the diversity of flight-related adaptations that existed millions of years before the appearance of modern avian species.