Paleontologists in Spain have unearthed a remarkable discovery – a two-ton rock containing a treasure trove of dinosaur eggs. This exciting find, made in the northern province of Huesca, sheds light on the reproductive habits of titanosaurs, giant herbivores that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.
The story began in September when Dr. José Manuel Gasca, a paleontologist from the University of Zaragoza, spotted the first egg nestled within the massive rock. Recognizing the potential significance, he immediately contacted his colleague Dr. Miguel Moreno-Azanza, leading to the formation of a joint excavation team.
The team, comprised of researchers from the Aragossauros Group, the University of Zaragoza, and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, meticulously chipped away at the rock, revealing a total of 30 complete dinosaur eggs. While initial estimates suggested around 70 eggs might be present, further excavation will be needed to confirm this.
Based on preliminary studies, the eggs are believed to belong to titanosaurs, long-necked sauropods that dominated the Cretaceous period until their extinction roughly 66 million years ago. These gentle giants, reaching lengths of up to 66 feet, were herbivores with long tails and necks, making them a fascinating subject of paleontological study.
Dr. Moreno-Azanza, who now works at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, elaborated on the excavation process. He explained that two nests were unearthed in 2020, yielding around 30 eggs. However, the 2021 campaign focused on a particularly large nest embedded within the two-ton rock.
“The extraction of such a large rock is uncommon,” Dr. Moreno-Azanza noted. “It took a five-person team a staggering 400 hours to carefully excavate the nest, which ultimately required the assistance of a bulldozer for removal.”
The monumental efforts of the team have secured not only the large rock but also ten smaller rocks containing additional eggs. These precious finds are currently being stored in a warehouse in Loarre and are destined for a special exhibition.
This exhibition, envisioned as a satellite of the University of Zaragoza’s Museum of Natural Sciences, will showcase the Loarre site’s specimens alongside replicas of dinosaur eggs from other locations around the globe. Funding for the ongoing excavation and future exhibition comes from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Spanish Ministry of Science.
The discovery of these dinosaur eggs represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of titanosaurs and their reproductive behavior. The meticulous excavation process and the planned exhibition further highlight the dedication of paleontologists in unraveling the mysteries of the prehistoric world and sharing these wonders with the public.