A GROUP of scientists in Argentina have unearthed a dinosaur egg so perfectly preserved that it looks like it was laid yesterday.
The ancient egg – thought to be more than 70 million years old – was discovered near General Roca in Patagonia and has left experts around the world stunned.
The team from Argentina’s Museum of Natural Sciences made the astonishing find live on air during a broadcast on October 7.
“It was so well preserved that it looked recent,” one of the scientists said, still in disbelief.
The egg, smooth and oval, looks remarkably similar to that of a modern bird, but its markings reveal its prehistoric origins.
It was uncovered during Cretaceous Expedition I.
Read more about Argentina
HITLER FILES
Argentina finds 80 BOXES of hidden Nazi files and vows to release secrets
This was a scientific mission led by Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), supported by the Azara Foundation, National Geographic, and the government of Río Negro.
Although dinosaur eggs have been found before in Patagonia, one this intact – with its shell undamaged and possibly containing embryonic material – is a rare treasure.
Experts believe the egg may belong to the Bonapartenykus genus.
This was a small, carnivorous theropod that prowled the region during the late Cretaceous period.
Around the fossilised egg, scientists also discovered the remains of other reptiles and ancient mammals.
This suggests the site was once a nesting ground.
“It was a complete and utter surprise,” said researcher Gonzalo Muñoz in an interview with National Geographic.
“It’s not common to find the egg of a possible carnivorous dinosaur, much less in that state.
“The happiness was spectacular for the team.”
Muñoz explained why carnivorous dinosaur eggs are such a rare discovery: “They’re much more delicate eggs, with thinner shells that are more likely to be destroyed.”
The team now plans to run various scans on the egg to determine if any embryonic material remains inside.
If traces of a developing dinosaur are found, it would mark one of the most important paleontological breakthroughs in South American history.
A preserved embryo could unlock new secrets about how carnivorous dinosaurs evolved, developed, and hatched.
The find was streamed live to a global audience using state-of-the-art satellite internet, allowing viewers to watch history unfold in real time.
“Science can reach many people whom we could not reach before,” said expedition leader Federico Agnolín.
He described the area near General Roca as a key site for understanding ancient life, where several new species have already been identified.
The same team made headlines last year after uncovering a claw believed to belong to Bonapartenykus in the same region.
Argentina ranks third in the world for known dinosaur species – behind only China and the United States
Finds such as these will only further cement its reputation as a paleontologist’s paradise.
PRICEY SECRETS
Katie Price reveals she snogged EMINEM and two more A-list Hollywood stars
HORROR STORY
I nearly died after the Yorkshire Ripper attacked me with a screwdriver
The priceless fossil will now be taken to the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences for study and preparation before being returned to its home province.
Once research is complete, the egg will go on display at a Patagonian museum, allowing visitors to see up close one of the best-preserved dinosaur eggs ever found.
