Chinese researchers have unearthed the smallest dinosaur egg fossils ever found. The find, dating back over 80 million years to the Late Cretaceous period, offers new insights into the reproductive habits of non-avian theropod dinosaurs.
Six relatively complete egg fossils were excavated from a well-preserved nest discovered at a construction site in Meilin Township, Ganzhou, in 2021, reports Xinhua News. The discovery was published on October 16, 2024, in the journal Historical Biology.
The research team, comprising experts from the Jiangxi Geological Survey and Exploration Institute (JGSEI), China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has confirmed the significance of this discovery after a detailed three-year study.
This undated file photo shows a new type of dinosaur egg fossils discovered in the city of Ganzhou, east China’s Jiangxi Province. (China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)/Handout via Xinhua)
Record-Breaking Discovery
The most complete fossil egg found at the site is only 29 mm long (1.14 inches) in length. These tiny fossils were discovered in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, eastern China, breaking the previous record for the smallest dinosaur egg fossil, which measured approximately 45.5 mm (1.79 inches) in length and was discovered in Zhejiang Province, China. This makes the new discovery not only unique but also significant for understanding the evolutionary history of dinosaurs.
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