Excavated dinosaur fossils may help understand the end of Age of Dinosaurs, scientists have revealed.
A team of international researchers unearthed in Antarctica dinosaur remains that are believed to be between 67 million and 71 million years old.
Their voyage to the James Ross island area in Antarctica was made possible by the lack of snow, which exposed the rocks that were substantial for their study. For seven weeks, the paleontologists set up camp on Vega Island during February and March, and they would take daily hikes of three miles to and from the excavation sites. Through this, the researchers were able to carry out geological mapping as well.
University of Queensland School of Biological Sciences Paleontologist Steve Salisbury, who's among the 12 scientists, said that they were able to investigate the varying rock thickness and gather information on the type of environment the dinosaurs lived in during their existence.
Salisbury said that they were studying rocks that come from the end of the Age of Dinosaurs. While examining superficial marine rocks, they have found evidence of ancient ocean dwellers.
"We did find a lot of marine reptile remains, so things like plesiosaurs and mosasaurs - a type of marine lizard made famous by the recent film 'Jurassic World,'" said Salisbury.
At present, the fossils are still in Chile, but they are already processing shipment to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, where they will conduct further examinations. The museum recently held an exhibit that featured the link between dinosaurs and birds.
The research team also found several dinosaur remains and hopes to publish separate findings in the future.
Salisbury said that research findings will take about two years before results can be published because larger bones need to be carefully prepared before they can do further research and carry out an analysis.
Salisbury hopes to go back and carry out more studies in the area.
