Melbourne, July 03: The fossils found in rocks known as the Winton Formation date back to 95 to 98 million years to the middle of the Cretaceous period.
Australian paleontologists have unveiled three newly discovered dinosaur skeletons after examining fossils dug up in Queensland.
In an article published in the journal PLOS One, the scientists described one of the dinosaurs as a terrifying meat-eating predator with three large slashing claws on each hand, similar to the Velociraptor seen in dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park.
The fossils found in rocks known as the Winton Formation date back to 95 to 98 million years to the middle of the Cretaceous period.
The carnivorous theropod and two giant plant-eating sauropods, measuring 18 meters in length are considered as the largest animals ever to roam the earth.
The discovery was announced Friday by Queensland’s Premier Anna Bligh, during the official launch of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History at Winton.
“These discoveries are a major breakthrough in the scientific understanding of prehistoric life in Australia, and the potential for educational tourism through their permanent display at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton, is enormous.” Ms Bligh said.
—–Agencies