Missing until recently were fossils clearly...语法结构问题,有整句

问题描述:

Missing until recently were fossils clearly...语法结构问题,有整句
Missing until recently were fossils clearly intermediate,or transitional,between land mammals and cetaceans.
弄不明白是个什么结构,尤其前半句.怎么突然就were fossil.

是个倒装.给你说说意思就懂了,就是说,处于陆生哺乳动物与鲸目动物之间的过度体动物化石直到最近才被挖掘出来.正常语序即Fossils that are clearly intermediate,or transitional,between land mammals and cetaceans had been missing until recently.