Colossal dinosaur bone find in France thrills scientists
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, December 13, 2024


Colossal dinosaur bone find in France thrills scientists
Maxime Lasseron, researching his doctorate at the National Museum of Natural History of Paris, inspects the femur of a Sauropod on July 24, 2019, after it was discovered earlier in the week during excavations at the palaeontological site of Angeac-Charente, near Châteauneuf-sur- Charente, south western France. The 140 million-years-old, two meters long, 500 kilogramme femur of the Jurassic period Sauropod, the largest herbivorous dinosaur known to date, was discovered nestled in a thick layer of clay by a team of volunteer excavators from the National Museum of Natural History working at the palaeontological site. Other bones from the animal's pelvis were also unearthed. GEORGES GOBET / AFP.



ANGEAC-CHARENTE (AFP).- Scientists have unearthed a huge two-metre (6.5-foot) dinosaur bone in a winegrowing village in southwestern France dubbed a "national treasure" for its prehistoric gems.

The 140-million-year-old thigh bone, which weighs 400 kilogrammes (880 pounds), is the latest discovery at the vast Angeac-Charente palaeontological site near Bordeaux, where experts and volunteers have dug up thousands of bones over the past decade.

But thanks to its remarkably good condition, the femur -- which scientists say probably belonged to a gigantic sauropod -- could help piece together an incomplete set of bones which the latest find resembles.

"We were wondering how big it was. We kept saying, 'Oh, there's more!'" said Maxime Lasseron, the doctoral student who made the gigantic discovery.

The largest land animals ever to roam the Earth, sauropods were massive plant-eating dinosaurs with a long neck and tail, towering up to 18 metres (59 feet) tall.

"It cost me a bit of money, because I had promised to bring champagne if it was complete," said Jean-Francois Tournepiche, the operations coordinator at what he calls "one of Europe's biggest dinosaur sites".

Tests will now compare the femur to another thigh bone discovered in 2010 to find out if they belonged to the same type of sauropod or even the same creature.

The bone's "preservation and perfect fossilisation makes it really unique", said Ronan Allain, a paleontologist at the French Museum of Natural History in Paris.

Prehistoric ecosystem
Now known for its cognac vineyards, Angeac-Charente was home to a vast ecosystem of dinosaurs, invertebrates and vegetation thanks to its humid, subtropical climate millions of years ago.

"There was a river and large coniferous trees," Allain said.

"Amphibians, crocodiles and fish lived in the swamp, and on dry land, small and large dinosaurs. It was full of life".

The discovery coincides with the 10th annual dig at the site, which stretches over 750 square metres (nearly 8,100 square feet).

But with more discoveries expected on the horizon, the site's owners have given diggers the go-ahead to excavate in another 4,000 square metres of land.

"Another surprise for our 10-year anniversary," Tournepiche said. "At this rate, we'll be busy for the next 30 years!"


© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

July 30, 2019

Colossal dinosaur bone find in France thrills scientists

Julien's Auctions announces Property from the Life and Career of Mae West

Sam Gilliam joins Pace Gallery

Christie's to offer the remarkable private collection of Jeremy Lancaster

New Museum presents the first major New York solo museum exhibition by Mika Rottenberg

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens Mary Corse's first solo museum survey

Exhibition includes a selection of rare cameras from the 19th century to present

RIBA announces shortlist for first Neave Brown Award for Housing

Bulgarian singer hits high with record-breaking vocals

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston announces new Perspectives Capital Campaign

Summer exhibition opens at the Redwood Library & Athenæum 'Per Barclay: House of Oil and Water'

Moore College of Art & Design receives $5 million, largest-ever single gift from alumna Jane Walentas

Artist adorns Egyptian cave church with biblical art

Amy Smith-Stewart named Senior Curator at Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Gavin Gardiner Ltd announces highlights included in its Auction of Modern & Vintage Sporting Guns

Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations presents "La Fabrique des illusions"

Hales Gallery now reprsents artist Sunil Gupta

Dr. Pascal Bertrand receives Getty Rothschild Fellowship

University of Maryland, Phillips Collection announce book prize winner

Exhibition focuses on the city of Athens and its constantly evolving artistic landscape

George Segal sculpture memorializing tragic events at Kent State University in 1970 on view in N.Y.

Farah Al Qasimi's first solo exhibition at a US institution includes the premiere of a new video




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful