In an extraordinary paleontological discovery, a perfectly preserved carnivorous dinosaur egg was found near General Roca in Argentine Patagonia. The egg was found by researchers from the Laboratory of Comparative Anatomy and Evolution of Vertebrates at Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET). Announced live, this find swiftly captured the interest of scientists and viewers, promising to unlock secrets from a prehistoric realm approximately 70 million years ago, just before the meteorite impact that marked the end of many dinosaur species.
The Cretaceous Expedition I - 2025, commenced with this discovery, marking another step in the exploration of Patagonia, a region fruitful for paleontological studies. This expedition builds on work initiated in 2024 when the team uncovered the claw of Bonapartenykus ultimus, a carnivorous dinosaur species exclusive to this area.
Streamed live to a global audience, the expedition is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite internet, allowing viewers to engage with the fieldwork in real time. "Science can reach many people whom we could not reach before," stated Federico Agnolín, the scientific leader of the expedition, underscoring the innovative approach of bringing real-time science to the public. Agnolín further expressed the importance of the site near General Roca, describing it as a key location where multiple new species of unnamed animals were identified, as reported on Perfil.
The discovery of the dinosaur egg, resembling modern bird eggs yet retaining dinosaur ornamentation, is thrilling due to its exceptional preservation. Paleontologists believe that the egg may contain a fossilized embryonic dinosaur, a prospect of great interest. "We have never seen an egg so well preserved," one paleontologist exclaimed during the broadcast, according to Excelsior. This finding enhances understanding of the reproduction and embryonic development of carnivorous dinosaurs in South America.
Located in the Río Negro province, the site harbors a wealth of fossilized remains, making it one of the world's premier locations for studying prehistoric animals of South America.
Through daily broadcasts on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where audiences can interact with scientists, the expedition advances scientific knowledge and invigorates interest and participation in paleontology.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.