Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Paleontology of Patagonia
Spectacular fossil finds in Patagonia since the 1980s have
led scientists to hail the region as the paleontological
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
prehistoric Patagonia looked like: a tropical jungle roamed
by gargantuan beasts. The finds also provide an exciting
dimension to traveling in Patagonia. With paleontological
tourism taking off, most fossil parks, fossilized forest areas,
and dig sites now welcome visitors.
One of the many fossilized trees in
Patagonia's petrified forests
Argentinosaurus
huinculensis is the
biggest dinosaur dis-
covered to date. This
colossal herbivore
lived 90 million 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
biggest carnivores, 45 ft (14 m) long and weighing
10 tons (9 tonnes). Its skull was a frightening
6 ft (1.8 m) long, easily the size of a bathtub.
The creature hunted Argentinosaurus in packs.
Dakosaurus andiniensis was nicknamed
Godzilla for its dinosaur-like snout. This
marine crocodile ruled the oceans 140 mil-
lion years ago. Its discovery site in Patagonia
was once a deep bay in the Pacific Ocean.
 
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