Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

What if the brain came first? Scientist rethinks the Cambrian Explosion

For decades, scientists have sought to explain the so-called "Cambrian Explosion," a pivotal period over 500 million years ago when a remarkable diversity of animal life appeared in the fossil record. But rather than a sudden burst of innovation, new research suggests this diversification was the re...

What if the brain came first? Scientist rethinks the Cambrian Explosion
Image: Phys.org
For decades, scientists have sought to explain the so-called "Cambrian Explosion," a pivotal period over 500 million years ago when a remarkable diversity of animal life appeared in the fossil record. But rather than a sudden burst of innovation, new research suggests this diversification was the result of a gradual, multi-stage process, driven in large part by the evolution of the brain.

Originally published at Phys.org

The Morning Briefing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Be the first to receive the latest news, market analysis and updates — delivered straight to your inbox.