A Nearly Complete Titanosaur Discovered in the Hérault department in southern France

A nearly complete titanosaur skeleton has been discovered in the Hérault department in southern France, thanks to the work of a young amateur paleontologist.

The discovery was made in 2022 by Damien Boschetto, a member of the Cultural, Archaeological and Paleontological Association of Cruzy. Boschetto was walking along a cliff when he spotted a dinosaur bone that had been exposed by a landslide.

The region is already known for its many fossils, but the discovery of a nearly complete titanosaur skeleton is a major find. Titanosaurs were massive herbivores that lived during the Cretaceous period, and this specimen is estimated to have been between 8 and 9 meters long.

The skeleton is estimated to be between 70 and 72 million years old et is in an exceptional state of preservation, with more than 70% of the bones still connected to each other. This indicates that the animal was buried quickly after its death, which helped to protect its remains.

The discovery of the titanosaur skeleton is a major breakthrough for paleontologists. It will allow them to learn more about these giant creatures and their environment, and is expected to provide new insights into the evolution and ecology of titanosaur dinosaurs. It is also a testament to the importance of paleontology and the need to protect our natural heritage.

The excavation of the skeleton was a long and delicate process. It took two years to complete, and it required the use of specialized techniques to extract the bones from the hard sandstone that surrounded them.

Today, the titanic fragments of the titanosaur are on display at the Museum of Cruzy, where they are being studied by experts from around the world. This extraordinary discovery, the result of the passion and perseverance of a young paleontologist, opens a new chapter in the exploration of prehistoric life in France.