A spectacular dinosaur “graveyard”containing thousands of fossils has been discovered by scientists in eastern Spain. It was first discovered in June during construction work for a new high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valencia.

Paleontologists, who kept the discovery under wraps, have until the end of December to remove the skeletons of several hundred dinosaurs before the diggers move back in. The paleontologists believe that this could be the largest ever boneyard, having the remains of even the 65 foot plant eater species, that has never before been discovered in Europe. They have found eight different species of dinosaurs amidst the 8,000 fossils discovered so far.

The range of species they are finding at the 80-million-year-old site and their state of conservation is virtually unparalleled in Europe. The different species found include three, perhaps four, different types of Titanosaurus — huge, long-necked creatures that munched on plants and walked on four thick legs. More than 100 individual Titanosaurus have been found at the site, some of them with thick armor-plating on their backs, a feature not previously seen in Europe. Many dinosaur skeletons that are nearly intact have also been unearthed.

Paleontologists working in Lo Hueco,the site, have been amazed to find a wide variety of dinosaurs from the period. Other dinosaurs found are believed to include Struthiosaurus, a small, armored, quadrupedal plant-eating dinosaur. Until now, only incomplete fossils of these two species had been found in Austria and Romania.

Researchers also believe they have found two or three types of Dromaeosaurus — small, fast-moving predators with sharp teeth and deadly, sickle-like claws. They have also found a Rhabdodon, a small, two-legged plant-eater with a long tail, short neck and a bulky body.

Many smaller fossils still await examination in the lab, including plant remains, fish scales, freshwater clams, and individual teeth. The fossil creatures were found grouped together in clay and silt sediments, suggesting a river created the dinosaur graveyard.

The site may provide further clues to understanding the demise of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. Many experts believe this will give leading directions to the belief that the extinction of dinosaur was foreshadowed by a steady decline in dinosaur diversity, until a massive meteorite strike delivered a final death blow.

Fossils in the direct path of the high-speed rail route have now been removed. Excavation of the rest of the site is due to continue till next spring.

Tags : fossils, dinosaur graveyard, Spain, Titanosaurus