A team of Brazilian scientists has made a remarkable discovery in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. After heavy rains accelerated the natural process of erosion, they stumbled upon a fossilized skeleton believed to be one of the world's oldest dinosaurs.
The fossil, estimated to be around 233 million years old, was found next to a reservoir in the municipality of Sao Joao do Polesine. The team, led by a paleontologist from the Federal University of Santa Maria, made the find in May, although the claims have yet to be verified by other scientists or published in a scientific journal.
The dinosaur is thought to have lived during the Triassic period, when all continents were part of the supercontinent Pangaea. This period marked the evolution of dinosaurs, with the apex predator discovered in Rio Grande do Sul belonging to the Herrerasauridae group.
Based on the size of the bones, researchers estimate that the dinosaur would have been approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length. The team expressed excitement and surprise at the discovery, noting that what initially seemed like isolated bones turned out to be an almost complete skeleton.
Further analysis will be conducted to determine whether the fossil belongs to a known species or represents a new discovery. This meticulous process is expected to take several months to ensure the preservation of the specimen.
The heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul, which led to devastating floods earlier this year, have also brought about an increase in fossil discoveries. The erosion caused by the rain exposes these ancient materials, prompting a race against time to rescue them before they are damaged.
The lead paleontologist hopes that this discovery will shed light on the origins of dinosaurs, providing valuable insights into a topic that continues to be debated within the scientific community.
