In the serene landscape of Montouliers, Hérault, France, a young amateur paleontologist made a groundbreaking discovery. Damien Boschetto, a 25-year-old with a keen interest in paleontology, stumbled upon a nearly complete 70-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton. This find was unveiled after a landslide exposed the edge of a cliff while Boschetto was walking his dog, initiating a series of excavations that would lead to a significant paleontological breakthrough.
The nearly complete, 30-foot-long skeleton turned out to be of a Titanosaur, a colossal herbivore distinguished by an elongated neck, known to have roamed Earth from about 150 to 66 million years ago. The local association dedicated to cultural, archaeological, and paleontological pursuits confirmed the fossil’s age, highlighting the significance of this discovery due to the rarity of unearthing almost intact dinosaur skeletons. Boschetto’s keen observation skills and subsequent report led to a collaboration with experts, underscoring the potential for amateur enthusiasts to contribute significantly to scientific knowledge.
The Montouliers specimen’s 70 percent completeness is noteworthy, particularly when considering the most complete T. rex, called Sue, displayed at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, is about 90 percent preserved. “The recent discovery of a new deposit in the neighboring town of Montouliers provides us with an assemblage of dinosaur skeletons in almost complete anatomical connections,” Boschetto shared with Newsweek, indicating the extraordinary nature of the find.
Matthew Carrano, research geologist and curator of Dinosauria at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, elucidates the importance of the skeleton’s state. The anatomical connections suggest the body was buried rapidly after the creature’s death, offering a snapshot of the beast’s original posture and potentially aiding in determining whether it represents a new species or a known one.
The discovery, initially kept under wraps to protect the site, was only recently revealed. The Titanosaur skeleton is set to be exhibited at the Cruzy Museum, where Boschetto has been a dedicated volunteer. His involvement with the Archaeological and Paleontological Cultural Association at the museum, coupled with this significant find, has propelled Boschetto to shift career paths, leaving his job in the energy sector to pursue a master’s degree in paleontology. This decision reflects his profound commitment to deepening his understanding of the Late Cretaceous ecosystems and contributing further to the paleontological records.
Relevant articles:
– Amateur paleontologist finds nearly complete 70-million-year-old massive Titanosaur while walking his dog, ZME Science
– Titanosaur skeleton discovered in France is 70 million years old, CNN, Mar 7, 2024
– A man walking his dog found a rare intact dinosaur skeleton, Washington Post, Mar 3, 2024