The bones of an unknown dinosaur discovered in the Atacama desert
Paleontologists exploring the Chilean Atacama Desert have discovered the remains of a dinosaur that has never been described before. He lived in the Cretaceous period, 66-80 million years ago, reports The Independent.
The dinosaur was named Arackar licanantay, which is translated from the local Kunza language as “Atacama bones”. Excavations were carried out 75 km south of the city of Copiapo.
Studies have shown that the creature belongs to the genus Titanosaurs. Scientists noted that now the Atacama is the driest desert on Earth, which has not seen rain for more than a hundred years. But in the days of the dinosaurs, it was covered with lush vegetation: tropical plants, flowers, ferns and palms. Even such a huge creature as a titanosaur had enough food there.
Paleontologists also found that Arackar licanantay had a small head, but a long neck and tail, and an unusually flat back. It was somewhat smaller in size than its congeners, such as the Argentinosaurus. After research, the dinosaur bones are planned to be exhibited at a local museum.
Earlier it was reported that the smallest footprint of a stegosaurus was found in China. He was left by a cub.
