Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research, known as CONICET, has been pivotal in several of this year’s most thrilling scientific advancements. Several months back, they conducted a submarine expedition that turned into an instant hit, motivating millions to watch a livestream on deep-sea creatures. They have now uncovered a finding that may change our understanding of dinosaurs. Palaeontologists from CONICET discovered a dinosaur egg, around 70 million years old, in nearly pristine condition.
The egg was found by Dr Federico Agnolin, head of the Argentinian Museum of Natural Sciences team, in the province of Rio Negro, located in the southern area of Patagonia. Although other eggs have been found in Argentina before, none have been discovered in such excellent condition as this fossil.
Researchers think it holds embryonic remnants. If accurate, it would signify a pivotal point in palaeontology, potentially assisting scientists in understanding how dinosaurs developed and matured. It might also reveal details about their origin.
Upon closer examination, they recognised it as a fossilised egg belonging to a Bonapartenykus, a small meat-eating dinosaur that existed in southern Argentina millions of years ago. This is among the most surprising aspects of the finding, since eggs from meat-eating dinosaurs are significantly more delicate because they possess thinner outer shells
The egg was encircled by the fossilised remains of other ancient reptiles and mammals, leading the team to refer to the location as a nursery for prehistoric animals. Thus, the site might also offer insights into how dinosaurs nurtured their young, along with other elements of their conduct.
“The rest of the eggs are very fragmented because erosion destroyed many of them. Maybe some are intact, but inside a rock. In this case, the egg broke free, rolled through that very fine sand, and stayed there. That prevented it from breaking. It’s almost a miracle. If it had rained or anything else had happened, it would have been destroyed. That’s why the find is so exciting. It looks like it was done on purpose. When I found it, I wasn’t convinced it was a fossil. It was lying there as if someone had put it there,” Agnolin told a Spanish news organisation, El Pais.
They mentioned that they are also thinking of examining the egg in a broadcast to allow people to feel excited—or let down—about its contents with them. Subsequently, it will be given to a museum in Patagonia, allowing the locals to admire this historically significant fossil.
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