A 75-Million-Year-Old Skeleton of a Monster Weighing Dozens of Tons and Standing at Least Four Times Taller than Humans Unearthed in Spain
According to PHYS, the newly discovered creature has been named Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, a member of the largest dinosaur family in the world, the titanosaurs, which translates to “the lizard of the law.”
Two researchers excavating a portion of the massive vertebrae and pelvis of the creature – (Photo: Communications Biology).
The gigantic fossil skeleton of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra was discovered in the Cuenca region of Spain.
This area, known as Lo Hueco fossil site, has yielded over 12,000 specimens since 2007 during the installation of the Madrid-Levante high-speed train line (AVE).
The specimens have contributed to one of the most significant collections of vertebrate fossils from the Late Cretaceous period (the last phase of the Cretaceous) in Europe.
Another bone fragment of the dinosaur found in the laboratory – (Photo: Communications Biology).
The research team, led by Dr. from the Dom Luiz Institute at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (CIÊNCIAS – Portugal), analyzed the specimens and confirmed that the creature they discovered also lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 million years ago.
During that time, Europe was a massive archipelago, and Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra arrived on the Iberian Peninsula when it had already been home to giant dinosaur footprints for over 2 million years.
This specimen is also one of the most complete sauropod dinosaur skeletons ever found in Europe, with parts including cervical vertebrae, back and tail bones, a portion of the pelvic girdle, and components of the limbs.
Image showing the bone fragments of the creature and its enormous body size compared to an adult man – (Photo: Communications Biology).
Sauropod dinosaurs are characterized by their long necks, heavy bodies, large tails, and four legs as sturdy as Greek temple columns.
Among this group, the titanosaurs – the lineage to which this new species belongs – are the largest members, often weighing dozens of tons, with some exceeding 70 tons.
For comparison, an African elephant—the largest elephant species today—weighs about 5-7 tons.
Scientists have not yet determined the specific size and weight of Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, but it is certain that it was incredibly large.
In a graphic provided by the authors, this dinosaur stood at least four times taller than a human when upright.
In the area near where the new species was found, another titanosaur from the subfamily Lirainosaurinae had previously been uncovered.
