Dinosaurs have always been so interesting for millions of people around the world. Even though they disappeared millions of years ago, scientists keep looking for clues that help them understand how they lived, how they grew up, and how they evolved.
Recently, a dinosaur embryo of 70 years old was found in perfect conditions. This discovery is helping experts better understand the evolution of these ancient creatures. So, let’s learn more about this fascinating discovery from the past.
Dinosaurs and their story
70 million years ago, these animals ruled the world. They lived in all kinds of environments and were different sizes. However, their story changed when a huge asteroid impacted on Earth, which led to their extinction.
Since they don’t exist anymore, the only way to study them is through their fossils, which tend to be remains like bones, teeth, or footprints. These fossils have allowed scientists to learn about how dinosaurs moved, what they ate, and even how they behaved. But until now, no fossil had provided a clear view of how dinosaurs developed before hatching, inside their eggs.
A historic discovery
Something incredible was recently found in Ganzhou (in the south of China): a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo. It was found by a team of scientists led by Fion Waisum Ma from the University of Birmingham, along with researchers from the University of Beijing and the University of Edinburgh, studied it.
The embryo was named Baby Yingliang in honor of the company responsible for the discovery. The most surprising thing is that the dinosaur was inside an egg in excellent condition, which allowed scientists to observe it as if it were a current embryo.
What this dinosaur revealed
The first analyses showed that this embryo belonged to the species oviraptorosaur, a two-legged dinosaur closely related to modern birds.
The embryo’s position inside the egg was especially striking: its head was tucked down, limbs close to the body, and its back curved. This is very similar to the way modern bird embryos position themselves, suggesting that birds are likely direct descendants of these creatures.
Insights
This embryo is an important discovery for anyone interested in dinosaur research. Using advanced CT scans, scientists created a 3D image of the embryo without breaking the egg. This allowed them to study the bones and structure of the dinosaur in incredible detail.
They also conducted chemical analysis and found protein traces, which revealed information about the dinosaur’s growth, metabolism, and development. Never before has an embryo fossil given such detailed insights into how these creatures formed and grew.
What if the embryo had hatched?
One of the most interesting questions among scientists was: What would this dinosaur have looked like if it had hatched and grown to adulthood? Although they can’t exactly know it, this embryo allows them to imagine how these animals changed since they were inside the egg until they became adults.
Opening doors for the future
This finding is very helpful to understand the past, but it also starts new theories. Some researchers consider that these discoveries could be used as base for scientific ideas that explore the possibility of “reviving” extinct species in the future, although it is still only theoretical.
So…
Beyond revealing the past, this finding sparks curiosity about evolution, the link between dinosaurs and modern birds, and the mysteries that still lie hidden in the fossil record.
As you can see, each new discovery brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of these ancient giants, inspiring wonder and excitement for anyone fascinated by the world of dinosaurs. Aren’t you fascinated by discoveries from such a long time ago?