In Portugal, the discovery of what is believed to be the largest dinosaur skeleton in Europe has been made. The sauropod lived approximately 150 million years ago and is one of the largest animals to have ever existed on Earth. The fossils were initially discovered by homeowners in Pombal during gardening work in 2017. Palaeontologists from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon were then called in to conduct excavations in August 2022, which led to the discovery of a large dinosaur skeleton. According to Elisabete Malafaia of the AFP news agency, the skeleton is likely that of a sauropod and “one of the largest specimens ever discovered in Europe, perhaps even in the world.”
The Brachiosaur, a type of sauropod dinosaur, could grow up to 25 meters in length and 12 meters in height. It lived during the Upper Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. The dinosaur was characterized by its long tail and neck, and it is one of the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth. Among the bones found were remains of a rib approximately three meters long. Malafaia explained that it is “relatively rare” to find vertebrae and ribs in the same position as they would have been in the dinosaur’s anatomy. Further excavations are planned in the coming months in the area surrounding the site, with the hope of finding more bones.
The discovery of this dinosaur skeleton is a significant event in the field of palaeontology. It provides valuable insights into the evolution and history of these prehistoric creatures. The discovery also highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats and the need for continued research in this field. As more bones are uncovered, scientists will be able to piece together a more complete picture of what life was like during the time of the dinosaurs. This discovery is a reminder of the incredible diversity of life that has existed on our planet and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
