For the primary time in historical past, Hong Kong researchers have uncovered dinosaur fossils inside its territory. This landmark discovery was introduced Wednesday, marking a pivotal second within the area’s palaeontological research. An preliminary examination revealed that the fossil, a weathered fragment of bone, dates again to the Cretaceous interval, round 145 to 66 million years in the past. Though the particular species stays undetermined, this discovery opens new avenues for analysis throughout the Hong Kong UNESCO World Geopark at Port Island.
The Fossil Discovery on Port Island
Specialists found the fossil stays in fragmented and weathered states on Port Island, a distant location inside Hong Kong’s UNESCO-listed geopark. Authorities officers shared that the bone fragments appeared to have been coated by sediments over time and doubtlessly unearthed via pure flooding. In an space the place earlier discoveries included historic marine life like ostracods and ammonites courting again a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of years, the dinosaur fossil marks a unprecedented first for Hong Kong.
Historic Context and Skilled Insights
Michael Pittman, Assistant Professor on the Chinese language College of Hong Kong, expressed enthusiasm for the unprecedented discover. Having performed fieldwork on Port Island himself, Pittman famous the problem of finding dinosaur stays as a result of exact age and environmental situations required for fossil preservation. Whereas he hasn’t examined the fossils personally, Pittman acknowledged that the discover could possibly be half of a bigger skeletal construction, doubtlessly extending a number of metres in size.
Collaborative Analysis and Upcoming Public Show
Upon discovering sedimentary formations on Port Island containing potential vertebrate fossils in March, the Hong Kong authorities enlisted mainland Chinese language researchers for additional evaluation. Officers have since closed the location to facilitate additional excavation and analysis. Beginning Friday, the fossil might be publicly displayed on the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. By yr’s finish, guests will even have entry to a brief exhibition area the place they will observe the meticulous means of fossil preparation.