70 million-year-old giant dinosaur skeleton unearthed in southern France

In a remarkable discovery, a near-complete Titanosaur skeleton has been unearthed in southern France, shedding light on the ancient ecosystems of the region.

The finding, made in May 2022 by amateur palaeontologist Damien Boschetto and his dog during a casual forest walk, has captivated the scientific community, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNN.

The massive fossil, spanning almost 10 meters (32.8 feet) from hind skull to tail, was initially spotted when Boschetto noticed a recently collapsed cliff edge in Montouliers. Upon closer inspection, he identified an exposed bone sticking out of the ground, marking the beginning of an extraordinary paleontological find.

The Archaeological and Paleontological Cultural Association at the Cruzy Museum, in collaboration with the French National Center for Scientific Research, meticulously excavated the site, unveiling the rare Titanosaur skeleton. Boschetto, a member of the association for eight years, expressed the exceptional nature of the discovery, emphasizing the bones' near-original anatomical positioning.

While the region has a rich history of dinosaur fossils, the connected Titanosaur skeleton presents a unique opportunity for scientific research and public education. Boschetto, in a statement to CNN, highlighted the significance of presenting almost complete animals in their anatomical positions for museography.

The Archaeological and Paleontological Cultural Association, formed in 1975, played a crucial role in safeguarding the region's heritage. The association, comprising locals, scientists, and students, has been actively excavating the bone bed for the past two years. Jean-Marc Veyssières, a member of the group and a fossil preparer, described the excitement of realizing they had uncovered a Titanosaur, a long-necked dinosaur.

This recent discovery, constituting a 70% complete Titanosaur skeleton, adds to the ongoing excavation's success. In addition to the Titanosaur, the site has yielded various dinosaur fossils and vertebrates, including a Rhabdodon, a herbivorous dinosaur similar to the Titanosaur. The remains also include fragments from carnivores such as Theropods and crocodiles.

The Titanosaur skeleton is currently housed in the Cruzy Museum's laboratory, where further studies will be conducted. The find not only contributes to our understanding of prehistoric life but also showcases the collaborative efforts of amateur enthusiasts and scientific institutions in unravelling the mysteries of the past.