The discovery of a new, early dinosaur relative named Nyasasaurus, from 243-million-year-old rocks in Tanzania, pushed back the origin of dinosaurs by roughly 10-15 million years. This find provided crucial evidence about the early evolution of dinosaurs and their ancestors. It placed the origin of dinosaurs firmly in the Middle Triassic period of Africa.

The discovery of older and older dinosaurs constantly reminds us that the fossil record is incomplete and that the story of life is always subject to revision. This evolving narrative of origins, where a 'new' find can rewrite the timeline, provides a powerful metaphor for the fluidity of scientific knowledge. It has inspired poets to think about the contingent and ever-changing nature of our understanding of the past.