After Zhou Xixian and Ye Bo's assistant left, they waited for the identification results.
The age of fossils is not difficult to identify. The relative age has always been determined according to the stratum where it was found, but since people's understanding of atoms has gradually deepened, scientists have found a way to identify the absolute age.
Most of the substances found in nature are mixtures of several isotopes (that is, atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers).
Some isotopes are radioactive, that is, their nuclei spontaneously emit rays and gradually transform into another substance.
For example, there are radioactive isotopes.
14C
Transform into
14N。
Each radioactive isotope has its own certain transformation rate, which is called "half-life" – the time it takes for half the number of atoms in a substance to transform.
Therefore, if we know the half-life of various isotopes, it is not difficult to calculate the age of an object containing this isotope, just measure how much of the isotope is left.
The two most widely used methods, one is
14C
Method, used to identify organic matter; the other is
40K
40Ar
Method to identify volcanic strata and fossils related to it.
40K
40Ar
For example, argon is the decay product of the radioactive isotope potassium. The half-life of this isotope potassium is 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 sophisticated. It can identify both specimens with a history of only about 50000 years and specimens with the same age as the earth, and there is only a small error.
After a while, Zhou Xixian's assistant called back first.
"Is the identification result out?" Zhou Xixian walked aside and asked in a low voice.
"The result is out, about 200 million years ago." An excited voice came from the phone.
"Is there a mistake?" Zhou Xixian's pupils suddenly brightened, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.
200 million years ago, in other words, it was the late Triassic, a little earlier than the Jurassic where dinosaurs lived.
"There can't be a mistake, we identified it twice.
Teacher, the value of this fossil is extraordinary … "
"I don't need you to tell me." Zhou Xixian was afraid that Ye Bo would hear it, so he quickly hung up the phone and suppressed the excitement in his heart.
He walked to Sue,
Intending to take the first step and take the fossil.
Unexpectedly, at this time, Ye Bo's excited voice sounded: "What?
200 million years ago? "Ye Bo was on the phone, obviously his assistant.
He also completed the appraisal and obtained the same result.
"Mr Su, this fossil must be brought back to the Institute of Archaeology by me." Zhou Xixian knew that his plan to take it secretly was ruined, so he spoke first.
"Nonsense, don't you understand the meaning of first come, first served? I should be the one to bring it back to the Paleontology Research Institute."
Ye Bo was also excited. This spider fossil is at least 35 million years older than the earliest relatively complete spider fossil that has been discovered so far.
Without a doubt, this was a precious fossil with great archaeological and research value.
"Then let's play fair.
I'll pay 100,000. "Zhou Xixian said.
"I … I'll pay 150,000."
The corner of Ye Bo's mouth twitched, and his heart became anxious, because he knew that he couldn't compete with money at all. It's not that the Institute of Archaeology has a lot of funds, but Old Zhou himself is very rich.
"Three hundred thousand," Zhou Xixian said calmly.
"Three … three hundred and fifty thousand." Ye Bo was desperate.
"Five hundred thousand."
Zhou Xixian faintly said, Ye Bo suddenly couldn't speak, he was so angry that his face turned red.
Zhou Xixian laughed, "Hehe, looks like this fossil is mine."
"Old Zhou, I think this fossil is worth more than this."
It should be more than that, right? "
"You can't say that.
This fossil is just a stone for ordinary people. Only we old things like it, so it's impossible for you to sell it at a high price. "Zhou Xixian waved his hand.
"Don't listen to him.
This fossil is worth at least one million at the auction house. "Ye Bo couldn't get it himself, but he didn't want Zhou Xixian to get it so easily.
This kind of unique fossil is estimated to be liked by many collectors. If it is really sold, it will not be less than one million. If no earlier spider fossils are found in the next few years, then the price will rise.
"You old man, strictly speaking, this fossil is a national property. Can it be sold at the auction house casually?
Bringing it back to the Institute of Archaeology is a contribution to the country. "Zhou Xixian said angrily, but he was really afraid of Sue.
He sold it and said, "One million is one million. How about Mr. Su sell it to me quickly?"
Ye Bo didn't speak this time. He didn't really want Su?
Taking the fossil to the auction house to sell, in contrast, it was much better to sell it to the Institute of Archaeology than to sell it to a private person. He just wanted to cheat Zhou Xixian.
"Alright, Old Zhou, I'll sell it to you for one million. However, there's a condition. When you're not using this fossil, you'll occasionally let Old Mr. Ye study it." Sue
He had just released his spiritual force to detect it. According to Zhou Xixian's spiritual fluctuations, this should be his highest price. If it goes any higher, he might not buy it.
Such a fossil that was useless to him was actually sold for one million yuan. It would be a waste not to do this business.
As for speaking for Ye Bo, it was for the sake of Xue Zonghong.
"That's fine too.
If you have any fossils in the future, remember to come to me. "Zhou Xixian glanced at Ye Bo and reluctantly agreed, fearing that Sue would not let him go.
As if going back on his word, he gave it to Sue.
A million times.
"Thank you, Mr. Su." Ye Bo also smiled.
"It's nothing." Sue replied.
He smiled.
Not far away, Li Guanglei and the others, who faintly heard the conversation, could not help but be shocked.
He was so rich that he could build such a building. The first floor was even reinforced with alloy plates. It turned out that it was so easy for him to earn money. A piece of stone could sell for one million.
When would he also pick up a few fossils and see if he could sell them for tens of millions of yuan?
"Speaking of which, it's really strange that this spider is so well preserved."
Zhou Xixian held the fossil and wondered. Ye Bo didn't speak, but he nodded in agreement.
"Why is it strange?" Sue asked.
He asked.
"Before this, the best spider fossil found was buried in fine volcanic ash, so the fragile outer bone marrow was not destroyed, but only flattened. But this one is obviously not the case, and I don't know why." Zhou Xixian said.
"This … If you don't know, it's even more impossible for me to know," Sue said.
As he said this, his heart thumped. Was it because the spider body in A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality was tough?
For example, the giant spider was hit by stones, but it did not die immediately, and its body was basically intact. If it was an earth spider, it would have become a meat patty long ago.
However, he naturally couldn't say this reason out loud.