The team of volunteers from the Phylogenia Society are thrilled. And for good reason: they have discovered nothing more and nothing less than a 1.10-metre-long thigh bone, in early August, of a titanosaur. One of the largest known animals on our planet!
“This is a big discovery. This is the first time in 170 years of excavation at the Fox Amfo site!“enthusiastic Stephen Jenner, a prominent member of the Scientific Committee of the Philogeneia Society(1).
“exceptionalThe vice president of the Philogenia Association, Guy Villanona, adds that he explores the site almost every week under the sheds to protect himself in particular from the heat. Both in terms of size and quality of preservation.”
A few days ago, the arm (humerus, radius, and ulna) was freed from its metal layer.
“We are examining the appearance of a bone fragment.”
According to the first elements, the prehistoric animal was 12 meters long and 4 meters high!
It is a herbivore. “It was cleared after removing about 70 cm of loose soil from a private owner, and after draining about 45 cm of sandstone.”It is a local rock that is abundant in the area.
Obviously, the exact location will not be revealed so as not to arouse envy.
Mechanical shovel, road sweeper… As drainage operations progress, “We examine the appearance of one part of the bone and try to shed light on the rest.”.
Once discovered, the fossils are placed in extraction patches for preservation. Once disinfected and sent “cleaning” By experts from the Aix-en-Provence Museum, they will be able to return to Fox Amphoe to impress everyone at the Dinosaur Museum. “Coming soon”.
1. The Scientific Council also consists of Yves Dutour, Director of the Natural History Museum of Aix-en-Provence, and Thierry Tortosa, Curator of the Sainte-Victoire Reserve, both of whom are paleontologists.