“Unveiling a 233-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur: Intact Fossil Emerges
Fascinating Paleontological Find in Brazil
According to Live Science, Brazilian paleontologists have made a groundbreaking discovery, unearthing one of the oldest representatives of the most terrifying “age of monsters” on Earth. This era saw dinosaurs, mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, and pterosaurs dominate the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
Herrerasauridae: Ancient Carnivorous Dinosaurs
The newly discovered fossil belongs to the Triassic Herrerasauridae, one of the oldest groups of carnivorous dinosaurs, though its classification remains debated. Herrerasaurus, meaning “Herrera’s lizard” after the rancher who discovered the first fossil, is one of the earliest dinosaur genera. All known specimens of this carnivore were found in early Carnian stage rocks (late Triassic, about 231.4 million years ago) in northwestern Argentina.
Unexpected Discovery During Torrential Rains
In May, torrential rains in São João do Polêsine, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, unexpectedly revealed the fossilized remains of a Herrerasauridae family member. According to Agência Brasil, the dinosaur’s skeleton was almost completely preserved next to a city reservoir.
Scientists have conducted preliminary studies and identified the fossil as belonging to the Herrerasauridae family. “This is one of the oldest fossils in the world and could help us understand the origins of dinosaurs,” said paleontologist Rodrigo Temp Müller from the Federal University of Santa Maria, who led the excavation team.
A previously excavated specimen, believed to be of Herrerasauridae, is on display in an Australian museum. According to Dr. Müller, this ancient dinosaur group represents the first wave of predatory dinosaurs to dominate Earth’s food chain. The individual found in Brazil had a body length of about 2.5 meters when alive, though its relatives may have been even larger.
This remarkable discovery not only sheds light on the evolution and development of early dinosaurs but also highlights the rich diversity of life that existed on Earth millions of years ago.
