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Together, these remnants are helping scientists understand how fires have shaped and been shaped by environmental change through geologic time.

Comparing the two examples of the same bone with the same unique features from the same geologic time zone supports their identifications.

"This trait only changes after really long periods of geologic time," says O'Connor.

But that period is relatively recent in geologic time, Lloyd explained.

"Determining the controls on river incision into rock is important for understanding how mountain ranges evolve over geologic time," DiBiase said.