Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

236  ar gentina region b y region

The Paleontology of Patagonia

Spectacular fossil finds in Patagonia since the 1980s have
led scientists to hail the region as the paleonto logi cal
promised land. Discoveries include some of the biggest
dinosaurs to have roamed the planet, and other prehistoric
beasts such as huge terror birds and ocean-dwelling
crocodiles. these finds, viewed alongside Patagonia’s
petrified forests, have enabled experts to depict what
prehis toric Patagonia looked like: a tropical jungle roamed
by gargantuan beasts. the finds also provide an exciting
dimension to traveling in Patagonia. With paleonto logical
tourism taking off, most fossil parks, fos silized forest areas, One of the many fossilized trees in
and dig sites now welcome visitors. Patagonia’s petrified forests

Argentinosaurus
huinculensis is the
biggest dinosaur dis­
covered to date. This
colossal herbivore
lived 90 mil lion years
ago, measured 125 ft
(38 m) in length, and
weighed a massive
112 tons (102 tonnes).

Rodolfo Coria led the
field study of both the
Argentinosaurus and
Giganotosaurus.

The Big Finds
Big fossil finds in Patagonia in the last two decades have
included the discovery of several new prehistoric species
and the world’s biggest dinosaur nesting ground. These
great finds have forced scientists to rewrite theory on the
size, behavior, and evolution of prehistoric life.
The biggest finds are unearthed from
rock dating from the Cretaceous period,
65 to 144 million years ago.

Giganotosaurus carolinii was one of the world’s Dakosaurus andiniensis was nicknamed
biggest carnivores, 45 ft (14 m) long and weighing Godzilla for its dinosaur­like snout. This
10 tons (9 tonnes). Its skull was a frightening marine crocodile ruled the oceans 140 mil­
6 ft (1.8 m) long, easily the size of a bathtub. lion years ago. Its discovery site in Patagonia
The creature hunted Argentinosaurus in packs. was once a deep bay in the Pacific Ocean.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm