Scientists stunned by find in Outback desert

[Martin]

In an Australian first, palaeontologists have uncovered the head and body of a 100-million-year-old Plesiosaur – a long neck marine reptile – in the Queensland desert.

The fossil, which was uncovered near Mckinlay in Western Queensland, has been labelled “the Rosetta stone of marine reptile palaeontology” by those involved after it was discovered by ‘The Rock Chicks’ – a trio of fossil hunters led by an outback Queensland station owner.

Experts believe the new fossil may hold the key to unlocking the mystery around Australian plesiosaurs.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/...t/news-story/d7a5c4cbcba95ed142a04fae2c6070b5
Amazing stuff!

 

[grubstake]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12...nsland-museum-townsville-plesiosaur/101735306

 

[silver]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12...nsland-museum-townsville-plesiosaur/101735306

This bit bellow let's you understand what we will be dealing with when all the ice has melted"if it does"

"It is odd to think we are finding marine reptiles, turtles and fish in what is now essentially desert in outback Queensland but back in the Cretaceous period [145- 66 million years ago] it was an inland sea"

 

[Mackka]

That is a fantastic find to those people it would be like finding the Welcome Stranger. Mackka

 

[user 4386]

This bit bellow let's you understand what we will be dealing with when all the ice has melted"if it does"

"It is odd to think we are finding marine reptiles, turtles and fish in what is now essentially desert in outback Queensland but back in the Cretaceous period [145- 66 million years ago] it was an inland sea"

You and I won't see it. Will take 1000-2000 years at present rate.

Not sure why they say it is a first though....

 

[user 22230]

You and I won't see it. Will take 1000-2000 years at present rate.

Not sure why they say it is a first though....

I believe due to the length of neck the "first" is in relation to head being found intact with the rest of the body ? Usually not the case apparently according to those that know far more than I on the subject?

 

[David-Karratha]

I understand all previous fossils have been disarticulated (missing their heads). This is the first head & neck in situ.

 

[user 22230]

i hear an echo

 

[David-Karratha]

I understand all previous fossils have been disarticulated (missing their heads). This is the first head & neck in situ.

i hear an echo

I just saw your post, after I added my 2bob’s worth. Then got sidetracked.
sorry.

 

[user 22230]

I just saw your post, after I added my 2bob’s worth. Then got sidetracked.
sorry.

Nah your all good Dave, was just having a bit of a moment due to another member actually Dave, so my apology to you for your wearing it

 

[user 4386]

I believe due to the length of neck the "first" is in relation to head being found intact with the rest of the body ? Usually not the case apparently according to those that know far more than I on the subject?

That is the info that I also found on the web. So it is a first.

 

[user 22230]

That is the info that I also found on the web. So it is a first.

Yes I find it amazing how it has laid totally undisturbed for the time period it has. Like 100 million years the mind boggles at a million let alone 100 million. Makes my life time rather miniscule

 

[user 12139]

how the hell did they find that? Damn good effort in my book

 

[user 4386]

Yes I find it amazing how it has laid totally undisturbed for the time period it has. Like 100 million years the mind boggles at a million let alone 100 million. Makes my life time rather miniscule

Yes, they went extinct 66 million years ago during the K-T extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. They are not really the original bones of the dinosaurs, but rock, which is why they survive. Original bones only survive for decades to a few million years at most. However as they dissolve (buried in rock) they leave cavities (moulds) that are infilled with mineral material, often silica (sometimes even precious opal).

 

[grubstake]

how the hell did they find that? Damn good effort in my book

I'd assume there were some surface signs of likely rock types in the ground, just like prospectors checking out a patch of quartz or an ironstone outcrop. Apparently they'd dug there the previous year, but weren't satisfied they'd gone deep enough.

 

[user 22230]

Might have to look closer next time I dig a bone

 

[Mackka]

The sisters have found other fossils on their property and have been amateur paleontologists for many years. Good on them.

 

[aussiefarmer]

Been better if it was opalised, but still amazing.

 

[Eng888]

how the hell did they find that? Damn good effort in my book

Just fortunate the Plesiosaur was wearing its engagement ring when it died so the detector picked up the signal.

 

[davsgold]

"It is odd to think we are finding marine reptiles, turtles and fish in what is now essentially desert in outback Queensland but back in the Cretaceous period [145- 66 million years ago] it was an inland sea"

So when Sturt went searching (exploring) for an inland sea and had his party carry a boat, he was right, but just 66 million years to late, I guess if he had been going now after all the rain and flooding etc, he would have claimed to be correct