A tiny, reptilian fossil has been excavated from layers of ancient sandstone, where it was preserved for over 240 million years – predating the dinosaurs .

The little lizard-like creature pinches the record for the oldest known lepidosaur . Until now, this title was held by Wirtembergia , which lived 3-7 million years later.

Lepidosaurs are a group containing lizards, snakes, and the only living member of the order Rhynchocephalia. The only living member of the order is New Zealand's so-called ' living fossil ', the tuatara, which, despite the ravages of time, has maintained a very similar appearance to their Mesozoic ancestors.

The new fossil has also been classified as Rhynchocephalian, based on close analysis of its near-complete skull and skeleton.

"The new beast has

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