Ancient ‘Hell Ant’ Fossil Discovered, Dating Back 113 Million Years

Recently, the fossil of a “hell ant” that lived alongside dinosaurs has been discovered, estimated to be around 113 million years old. This ant existed during the time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.

Scientists say this newly discovered fossil is the oldest known ant to date. The study was published on Thursday in the journal *Current Biology*.

The particular ant, belonging to the group *Haidomyrmecinae* — commonly referred to as “Hell Ants” — was found in Brazil. Its skull was preserved inside a limestone rock. These ants lived during the Cretaceous period, approximately 45 to 66 million years ago.

Unlike modern ants, Hell Ants had large, uniquely shaped mandibles resembling curved knives, which scientists believe were used to capture and restrain prey.

Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at a Brazilian museum, discovered the fossilized skull in September. He was astonished to find an unusual feature attached to the ant’s head. Unlike previous ant fossils typically found preserved in amber, this specimen was embedded in stone.

This discovery provides evidence that Hell Ants had already spread widely across the world long ago. Today, ants are found almost everywhere on Earth, except Antarctica.

According to scientists, ants first appeared around 145 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods. After the extinction of dinosaurs and other creatures, ants became one of the most dominant insect groups.

Experts believe this new discovery is crucial, as it helps deepen our understanding of ant evolution. The fossil has extended our knowledge of ants’ history by approximately ten million years. Researchers used 3D imaging technology to study the fossil and found connections to skulls previously discovered in Burmese amber. This find marks a significant milestone in the study of ancient ants and promises more fascinating insights in the future.