There are two key fossils called Proganochelys quenstedti and Palaeochersis talampayensis dating from early dinosaur times, which appear to be close to the ancestry of all modem turtles and tortoises.

原颚龟化石（Proganochelys quenstedti） 和古老陆地龟化石（Palaeochersis talampayensis） 这两种重要化石最早可以追溯到恐龙时代，它们与所有现代海龟和乌龟的祖先最为接近。

youdao

At a 12,000-year-old burial site in northern Israel, archaeologists found the remains of at least 71 tortoises and two wild cattle in specially built hollows in a cave.

在以色列以北，距今至少12000年前的墓葬遗址，考古学家在洞穴地坑内发现了至少71只乌龟和2头野牛骨头，在人骨(当时被称为巫师)边到处散落着龟壳。

youdao

At a 12,000-year-old burial site in northern Israel, archaeologists found the remains of at least 71 tortoises and two wild cattle in specially built hollows in a cave.

在以色列北边一个有着1万2千年历史的墓址里，考古学家在一个山洞中特别挖出的凹地里发现了至少71只乌龟和2只野牛的残骸。

youdao

But despite the best efforts of conservationists -- and the presence of two female giant tortoises from a close subspecies sharing his enclosure at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz -- George remained a solitary creature.

CNN: Lonesome George, last of the Pinta Island tortoises, dies

About two decades later, two French biologists described two species of giant tortoises.

WSJ

Since tortoises can go two years between drinks of water, an unplanned micturition can cause dehydration and even death.

WSJ: An Army of Biologists Are on Nature Patrol at Military Bases