A fascinating discovery has been made by Argentine scientists in the southern province of Neuquén. They have uncovered fossilized dinosaur eggs containing well-preserved embryos estimated to be around 70 million years old. Claudia Della Negra, the director in charge of cultural heritage in Neuquén province, has reported that these fossils bear similarities to other fossil eggs found in a different part of the province. Currently, archaeologists are studying the embryos, teeth, and skin preserved within these fossilized dinosaur eggs.
To safeguard the local archaeological heritage, the provincial government of Neuquén plans to establish a paleontological park. This initiative has garnered support from institutions such as the National Geographic Institute, the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina, and the Spanish province of Zaragoza.
Dinosaur eggs typically measure 10-13 cm in length and 5-8 cm in width, while ancient crocodile eggs are no longer than 5 cm. The shells of fossil crocodile eggs are usually smooth or hollow, whereas dinosaur eggs possess a shell with a distinctive wavy pattern resembling winding worms.
The dinosaur eggs unearthed in the city of Presidente Prudente in the state of São Paulo were preserved within a layer of soil that gradually transformed into sandstone over time. This material acted as a natural defense, forming multiple layers of sand over millions of years, aiding in the preservation of the specimens until paleontologists excavated them last year. However, it wasn’t until December 2021 that they confirmed the eggs belonged to a dinosaur.
Previously, researchers discovered a remarkably well-preserved dinosaur embryo in China. Named “Baby Yunguang,” the embryo is curled up inside a fossil egg within the rock layer of the Heikou Formation at the Shahe Industrial Park in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. This specimen is one of the most intact dinosaur embryos known, displaying characteristics more akin to a bird embryo than a dinosaur.
In particular, Baby Yunguang is in the advanced stages of development, with its head tucked under its body, its back folded, and its feet positioned at its sides. A team of paleontologists led by the University of Birmingham suggests that Baby Yunguang belongs to a species of toothless theropods with beaks called “oviraptorosaurs.” Their embryos measure 27 cm in length from head to tail and are curled up inside a 17 cm long egg.
In order to safeguard the local archaeological heritage, the provincial government of Neuquén has announced plans for the construction of a paleontological park. This initiative has garnered support from esteemed institutions such as the National Geographic Institute, the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina, and the Spanish province of Zaragoza.
Dinosaur eggs typically measure 10-13 cm in length and 5-8 cm in width, distinguishing them from ancient crocodile eggs that do not exceed 5 cm. The shells of fossilized crocodile eggs are usually smooth or hollow, while dinosaur eggs exhibit a distinct wavy pattern resembling coiling worms.
The dinosaur eggs unearthed in the city of Presidente Prudente, located in the state of São Paulo, were remarkably preserved within a layer of soil that gradually transformed into sandstone over time. This natural defense mechanism resulted in the formation of multiple layers of sand over millions of years, effectively preserving the eggs until they were excavated by paleontologists last year. However, it wasn’t until December 2021 that they conclusively determined the eggs belonged to a dinosaur species.
In a separate discovery, researchers in China previously uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur embryo named “Baby Yunguang.” This embryo is curled up inside a fossil egg within the rock layer of the Heikou Formation at the Shahe Industrial Park in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. Baby Yunguang is considered one of the most intact dinosaur embryos ever found, displaying characteristics more closely resembling a bird embryo than a dinosaur.
In particular, Baby Yunguang, the dinosaur embryo discovered in China, exhibits characteristics indicating it was close to hatching. Its head is tucked under its body, its back is folded, and its feet are positioned at its sides. A team of paleontologists, led by the University of Birmingham, has identified Baby Yunguang as belonging to a species of theropods called “oviraptorosaurs.” These oviraptorosaurs possess beaks but lack teeth. The embryos of this species measure approximately 27 cm in length from head to tail and are curled up inside 17 cm long eggs.