Heavy rains in Brazil led to a remarkable paleontological discovery: a 233 million year old Dinosaur fossilThis significant discovery was made in the southern state Rio Grande do Sulnear the town of São João do Polêsine. The fossil, which is almost completely preserved, was excavated next to a reservoir after torrential rains eroded parts of the fossil site.
The dinosaur, probably a member of the Family Herrerasauridaeroamed the earth during the Triassic when all continents were part of a single landmass called Pangaea. Herrerasaurids were among the earliest carnivorous dinosaurs, and this particular specimen is said to have been about 2.5 meters long. The discovery was made by a team led by Rodrigo Temp Müllera paleontologist from the Federal University of Santa Maria The UFSM is a non-profit organization.
The location where the fossil was found has been the focus of paleontological research for about 20 years. The region is known for its rich deposits of Triassic fossils, which provide valuable insights into the early Evolution of dinosaurs. Recent heavy rains accelerated the erosion process and exposed the fossil, which had been buried for millions of years. According to Müller, the fossil was initially thought to be just a few isolated bones, but further excavations revealed an almost complete skeleton.

This discovery is particularly significant because it is one of the oldest dinosaur Fossils ever found. The oldest known dinosaur fossils date back to about 231 million years ago, making this find potentially one of the earliest examples of dinosaur evolution. The fossil’s excellent state of preservation allows scientists to study its anatomical details, which could provide new insights into the features and behaviors of early dinosaurs.
The Herrerasauridae family, to which this dinosaur belongs, includes some of the first known carnivorous dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were bipedal, similar to the Tyrannosaurus Rex, meaning they walked on two legs and had free hands with sharp claws for catching prey. The newly discovered fossil is expected to shed light on the evolutionary adaptations that allowed these early dinosaurs to survive in their environment.
The discovery has caused excitement in the scientific community as it could help fill gaps in our understanding of dinosaur evolution. The fossil’s age and state of preservation make it a unique and valuable addition to the fossil record, offering a rare glimpse into the distant past. Researchers are currently working to carefully extract the fossil from the surrounding rock and conduct detailed analysis to determine if it is a new species of dinosaur.
The region where the fossil was found has been increasingly exposed to severe weather events, including the heavy rains that led to this discovery. In June 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul experienced three months of Rain within just two weeks, causing widespread flooding and leaving over 500,000 people homeless. While the rains have accelerated the erosion process, they also pose a threat to newly exposed fossils, which could be damaged or destroyed if not rescued promptly.
The Federal University of Santa Maria and other research institutions are now focused on preserving the fossil and conducting further studies. The results of this discovery are expected to be published in scientific journals and will contribute to our knowledge of the early evolution of dinosaurs and the conditions that shaped their development.
For those uninformed, dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that dominated the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. They were among the most successful and diverse animals that ever lived, from the small, bird-like Velociraptor to the gigantic, long-necked Brachiosaurus.
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