A recent study published in Royal Society Open Science confirmed that the 205-million-year-old fossil named Cryptovaranoides Microlanius is the oldest known modern lizard, reshaping the timeline of reptile evolution. The findings push back the origins of the lizard-snake group called Squamata by 35 million years to at least 205 million years ago. The fossil was unearthed from Triassic-aged rocks in a quarry near Bristol in the United Kingdom and has sparked extensive discussion among scientists due to its unique characteristics and well-preserved state.