Research published in *Science* reveals that ancient octopuses, potentially reaching lengths of 19 meters, were apex predators in the late Cretaceous period, alongside mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Traditionally, paleontologists viewed this era as dominated by vertebrate predators, with invertebrates relegated to prey status. However, Yasuhiro Iba, a paleontologist at Hokkaido University, and his team have uncovered fossilized remains of these giant octopuses, which were armed with powerful beaks and likely exhibited high intelligence. The challenge in studying these creatures lies in their soft-bodied nature, which makes fossilization rare. The researchers employed a novel technique called Digital Fossil Mining, which involved grinding away layers of rock to reveal fossils while creating detailed 3D digital models. This groundbreaking discovery reshapes our understanding of the Mesozoic marine ecosystem and highlights the significant role of invertebrates in the ancient food web.