The discovery of four dinosaur egg fossils in the Dengta Basin of Heyuan, a South China city celebrated for its vast dinosaur egg fossil collection, marks a first for the region. This discovery not only widens the area under scrutiny for dinosaur egg geological research, but also provides valuable insights into the ancient geography and climate of the area.
The unearthing of these fossils occurred serendipitously when a retired veteran stumbled upon them at a construction site. The find comprised an entire nest of dinosaur egg fossils, with further research required to ascertain their age, according to Huang Zhiqing, director of the Institude of Heyuan Dinosaur.
Huang highlighted the significance of this finding, stating, “This is the first time we discovered dinosaur egg fossils in the Dengta Basin.” He further explained that this discovery offers evidence of prehistoric creatures inhabiting not only the Heyuan Basin, known for its large quantity of dinosaur egg fossils, but also the Dengta Basin.
The newly unearthed fossils could shed light on the environmental conditions of ancient times, as suitable habitats, including access to water and food, would have been integral to the survival of these giant creatures.
Researchers plan to delve deeper into the specifics of these fossils by removing eggshell fragments, conducting slicing, and studying their magnified microstructure at a local research institute, Huang added.
Du Yanli, the curator of the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum, shared that the recently found dinosaur egg fossils are primarily circular or oval, and relatively small in size. It remains uncertain whether these fossils belong to a new dinosaur egg species.
“Currently, we have identified 12 species from 11 genera across 5 families of dinosaur egg fossils. If this discovery turns out to be a new genus, it would represent a significant breakthrough,” Du remarked.
In 2004, Heyuan clinched a Guinness World Record for its collection of over 10,008 dinosaur egg fossils. Today, the Heyuan Dinosaur Museum houses approximately 20,000 dinosaur eggs fossils, cementing its status as a coveted hub for dinosaur researchers and enthusiasts around the globe.
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