Goats, cows, and pedestrians wander by the two unassuming shipping containers along a street in Niger’s riverside capital without a second thought. But inside lie nearly 50 tons of dinosaur bones wrapped in plaster – potentially some of the most significant paleontological finds this landlocked West African country, and even the continent, has ever known.
There are fossils from perhaps as many as 100 different species, some of them from ancient animals never seen before.
“Small animals, mammals, flying reptiles, turtles” as well as a 40-foot crocodile and “a dozen large dinosaurs that are new, including huge 60-footers,” says American paleontologist Paul Sereno.
Getting them to the capital was years in the making – and their journey isn’t over. The initial discoveries were made in 2018 and 2019, in the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. It would take time and funding for a proper dig, though, so the paleontologists covered them up and buried them, hoping the winds wouldn’t expose them to curious nomads or dangerous smugglers.
Then COVID-19 hit, shutting everything down until finally, last fall, Professor Sereno could return to unearth the fossils again.
Can 50 tons of dinosaur fossils help hatch paleontology in Niger?
There are fossils from perhaps as many as 100 different species, some of them from ancient animals never seen before.
“Small animals, mammals, flying reptiles, turtles” as well as a 40-foot crocodile and “a dozen large dinosaurs that are new, including huge 60-footers,” says American paleontologist Paul Sereno.
Getting them to the capital was years in the making – and their journey isn’t over. The initial discoveries were made in 2018 and 2019, in the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. It would take time and funding for a proper dig, though, so the paleontologists covered them up and buried them, hoping the winds wouldn’t expose them to curious nomads or dangerous smugglers.
Then COVID-19 hit, shutting everything down until finally, last fall, Professor Sereno could return to unearth the fossils again.
Can 50 tons of dinosaur fossils help hatch paleontology in Niger?