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Dr Ruffell based his
on research conducted on layers of
in Eastern Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual
in ancient rock that dated back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this suggests the
period may have been the "
" that allowed dinosaurs, and possibly "other
of our modern land-based fauna," to diversify. He added: "It may have been
of the most important
in the history of life." He suggested it was the origin of most
of creatures like the turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals we see
.
