Home
Science
Science News
Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt, WWII Lost Treasures

Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt, WWII Lost Treasures

Explore the rediscovery of giant horned dinosaur fossils in Egypt, lost during WWII.

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 20 January 2025 22:11 IST

Giant Horned Dinosaur Fossils Rediscovered in Egypt, WWII Lost Treasures

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Edwin Chen

Ernst Stromer categorized the fossils, linking them to Algerian specimens

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

Highlights

Newly identified giant horned dinosaur fossils from Egypt
Rediscovered after being lost during WWII bombings
Significant implications for dinosaur diversity in North Africa

Fossil evidence of a massive horned dinosaur has been rediscovered through previously unseen photographs of remains destroyed during World War II. The dinosaur, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, lived approximately 95 million years ago in what is now Egypt. Spanning an estimated length of 33 feet, the species is considered one of the largest known terrestrial predators. The fossils were initially unearthed in 1914 in Egypt's Bahariya Oasis and housed in Germany before being lost in a wartime bombing.

Revelation Through Archived Images

According to the study published in PLOS One, the fossils had been mistakenly classified as belonging to the Carcharodontosaurus group. Newly discovered photographs, stored in the Huene Archive at the University of Tübingen, revealed features such as a prominent horn and an enlarged braincase, differentiating the specimen from others in the group. Maximilian Kellermann, a doctoral student at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology, noted the significant distinctions upon reviewing the photographs. Speaking to Live Science, he expressed initial confusion, followed by excitement as the differences became apparent.

Historical Context and Classification Changes

The fossils were originally categorised by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer, who associated them with specimens from Algeria. Over time, additional Carcharodontosaurus fossils were discovered, with a skull from Morocco becoming the representative specimen for the group. However, comparisons of Stromer's documentation and illustrations with the archived photographs revealed substantial variances, prompting the classification of a new genus and species.

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Artifacts in Iraq, Unlocking Secrets of Mesopotamia

Implications for Dinosaur Diversity

Researchers believe this finding highlights a richer diversity of dinosaur life in North Africa than previously understood. Kellermann suggested further exploration of Stromer's archives could provide new insights into other species from the region, such as Deltadromeus and Spinosaurus, which may also require reclassification. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting historical data to refine knowledge of prehistoric ecosystems.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.