More than a month and a half ago, the Cretaceous Expedition I once again put Patagonia in the spotlight of international scientific attention.
Comprising 20 researchers from the Laboratory of Comparative Anatomy and Evolution of Vertebrates (LACEV-CONICET), the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences Bernardino Rivadavia, and the Félix de Azara Natural History Foundation, the campaign took place at Salitral Ojo de Agua, near the city of General Roca in Río Negro.
The site, at least 70 million years old, is one of the most complete windows into the world before the extinction of the dinosaurs. Fossils of mammals, snakes, lizards, dinosaur nests, and unique specimens in South America have been found there.
Highlighted Discoveries of the Campaign
During the excavation, scientists made exceptional discoveries:
- An extraordinarily well-preserved carnivorous dinosaur egg, possibly with an embryo inside.
- Remains indicating the presence of a complete nest.
- Three tiny Cretaceous mammal teeth, extremely difficult to find.
- Parts of a hadrosaur skeleton, with almost complete skull, arms, and vertebrae.
- Fossils of a titanosaur approximately 15 meters long.
These findings add to those of 2024, when the claw of Bonapartenykus ultimus, a unique Argentine dinosaur, was discovered.
An Excavation Broadcast Live
For the first time, the public could follow a paleontological excavation in real-time thanks to live broadcasts on the YouTube channel @paleocueva_lacev.
Mendoza paleontologist Mauricio Cerroni, a member of the mission, told the Mendoza Post portal that the logistics were intense: from setting up the camp and transporting equipment to coordinating with the production team. “It was a tremendous effort, but it was completely worth it,” he assured.
Life in the camp was described as “setting up a mini city in the desert,” with reinforced gazebos, a kitchen, personal tents, and work areas. The team’s horizontal style allowed everyone to rotate tasks, even as streaming hosts.
Patagonia: A Fossil Treasure
Cerroni explained why Patagonia is one of the richest regions in the world for dinosaur remains: the accumulation of sedimentary rocks during the dinosaur era allowed for the preservation of bones in rivers, lakes, and seas.
With the rise of the mountain range and subsequent erosion, those fossils were exposed in the landscape. Although there are also findings in northern Argentina (La Rioja, Jujuy, Salta, Mendoza, and San Juan), Patagonia remains the most famous region for the abundance of remains.
The Search and Excavation Process
The methodology begins with geological maps and provincial permits, but the most reliable source is often the local people, who recognize fossils and guide the teams.
The work involves walking for days, following dry stream beds, and tracking fragmented bones to their origin. Once the site is identified, excavation begins to determine the magnitude of the find.
The Egg That Fascinated the Public
The most viral moment of the streaming was the discovery of an intact carnivorous dinosaur egg, possibly with an embryo. Cerroni said he was not present and found out live like the rest of the audience.
The discovery raised doubts on social media, but scientists confirmed its authenticity: “When you lift it, it’s heavy, has rock inside, and the typical texture of a carnivorous dinosaur.” Additionally, beneath the intact egg, there are between 8 and 10 more eggs embedded in hard rock.
Currently, the remains are being analyzed with high-resolution tomography, allowing them to be studied internally without damage.
Science and Outreach
The success of the streaming was such that many schools in the country projected the entire campaign. For the researchers, seeing the children fascinated and receiving their drawings was a source of pride: a true gateway to science and natural sciences.
The Cretaceous Expedition I not only contributed paleontological findings of enormous value but also marked a milestone in scientific outreach in Argentina, bringing paleontology closer to thousands of people in real-time. Patagonia reaffirms its place as one of the richest territories in the world for dinosaur fossils, and the experience demonstrates that science can be shared openly, inspiring new generations.
