Morrison Formation
The Morrison Formation is one of the most famous fossil beds in the world, dating back to the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. It is renowned for its rich assemblage of dinosaur fossils, including iconic species like Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Allosaurus. The site represents ancient floodplains that supported a diverse ecosystem.
Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert is a renowned site for dinosaur fossils, particularly from the Late Cretaceous period. The Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, are famous for the discovery of Velociraptor and the first dinosaur eggs. The Gobi Desert's fossils provide critical insights into the behavior and biology of dinosaurs, including evidence of nesting and social structures.
Liaoning Province
Liaoning is famous for its exquisitely preserved Early Cretaceous fossils, particularly feathered dinosaurs, which have provided critical evidence linking dinosaurs to birds. Notable species discovered here include Sinosauropteryx and Microraptor. The fossils from Liaoning have revolutionized our understanding of dinosaur evolution and the origin of flight.
Hell Creek Formation
The Hell Creek Formation is a Late Cretaceous fossil site, approximately 66 million years old, known for yielding some of the last dinosaurs before the mass extinction event. It is famous for fossils of Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Edmontosaurus. The site provides crucial evidence of the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye has yielded significant Middle Jurassic dinosaur fossils, including both footprints and bones. It is one of the few places in the world where evidence of dinosaurs from this period has been found. Fossils from this site include those of early sauropods, theropods, and ornithopods.
Tendaguru Formation
The Tendaguru Formation is a Late Jurassic fossil site known for its rich deposits of dinosaur fossils. It has yielded some of the largest dinosaurs ever found, including Giraffatitan (formerly known as Brachiosaurus). The site has provided important information about the diversity of sauropods and theropods in Africa during the Jurassic period.
