In an exciting development for paleontology, researchers at the Angeac fossil site in southwestern France have uncovered significant evidence of a new species of herbivorous dinosaur.
Led by paleontologist Ronan Allain from Paris’ National Natural History Museum (MNHN), the excavation team has revealed an impressive collection of fossils, including a massive femur, vertebrae, fragments of a skull, a pelvis, and approximately 20 teeth.
These findings contribute to the profile of a previously unknown sauropod species, which roamed the Earth around 140 million years ago.
The Angeac site first gained prominence in 2010 with the discovery of a sauropod, but this year’s findings have reignited enthusiasm among the team of approximately 30 excavators.
“This new sauropod, measuring between 15 and 20 meters in length and weighing about 25 tonnes, is not the largest of its kind, but it was indeed substantial,” Allain stated.
Notably, the teeth discovered differ from those of other sauropod species, specifically the turiasauria already identified at the site.
A remarkable aspect of this discovery is the condition of the fossils. Unlike typical finds at Angeac, which often comprise heavily mixed and damaged bones due to post-mortem trampling, the vertebrae were found “still connected.”
This pristine condition suggests that additional bones may lie nearby, heightening anticipation for future excavations. “Everyone’s in the starting blocks for next year!” exclaimed Allain.
However, the excavation season was initially hampered by adverse weather conditions. Heavy rains raised concerns about the feasibility of excavating the site, as machinery struggled to maintain stability in the flood-prone quarry.
“We didn’t know if we’d be able to excavate; the machinery was sinking, and we couldn’t drain the site,” Allain noted.
Eventually, the rains subsided, allowing quarry workers to assist the paleontologists in removing the gravel layer concealing the clay where the fossils had accumulated.
To envision the Angeac landscape 140 million years ago, one must imagine a vast marshy plain.
This environment likely played a role in the preservation of many fossils, including a group of about 70 ornithomimosaurs—bipedal carnivores measuring approximately 5 meters long.
“It’s similar to buffalo in Africa, where herds cross rivers at consistent spots during migration and can sometimes be swept away in large numbers,” Allain explained.
The newly identified sauropod may have succumbed to natural causes before being swept away by a flood, leaving behind an imprint of its mass in the mud.
Additionally, the site yielded a small round bone, possibly a calcaneus from a predator’s heel, along with hundreds of teeth. This suggests that the Angeac area was also home to large predators akin to allosaurs, indicating a diverse ecosystem.
The discoveries at Angeac continue to shed light on the prehistoric world and the varied life forms that inhabited it. As the excavation team prepares for future digs, the anticipation for what more lies beneath the surface remains palpable.
“This site has much more to offer, and we are excited to uncover additional secrets from our planet’s distant past,” Allain concluded.
