According to CNN, researchers say that a famous fossil has caused a scandal. The fossil was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931 and was thought to be a Tridentinosaurus antiquus. Scientists believed that the dark outline and lizard-like body encased in rock was skin and soft tissue, but little did they know that they were in for a surprise.

Over the decades, the fossil was mentioned in books and article citations, but no one really looked at it up close. A new detailed analysis showed researchers that the black outline was not skin and soft tissue, and in fact was actually just black paint covering a couple of bones.

When the fossil was discovered, researchers thought that the fossil might provide a rare glimpse into reptilian evolution, according to CNN.  “The fossil was believed to be unique because there were no other examples from the same geographical area and geological period of that preservation in a fossil vertebrate at the time,” Dr. Valentina Rossi told CNN.

There were a couple of misconceptions about the specimen. The specimen lacked visible bones, including the skull, even though the body didn’t appear completely flat. “A plausible explanation was that the bones were hidden below the layer of skin and thus not visible,” Rossi said. “Coating fossils with varnish is an ancient method of preservation because, in the past, there were no other suitable methods to protect fossils from natural decay,” study co-author Mariagabriella Fornasiero told CNN.

The Tridentinosaurus antiquus proves that science opens up a world of truth. The discovery of this fossil’s actual status changes the game in archeology.