On January 28, French customs officers made an unexpected find while inspecting a Spanish lorry, uncovering nine dinosaur teeth believed to be over 66 million years old.
Dinosaur Teeth Seized by French Customs During Routine Lorry Inspection
Dinosaur Teeth Seized by French Customs During Routine Lorry Inspection
French customs officials discovered nine dinosaur teeth during a standard check on the A8 motorway near the Italian border.
The discovery points to the rich history of the Late Cretaceous period, with potential links to ancient marine reptiles.
During a routine customs inspection on January 28, French customs officers seized nine dinosaur teeth found in parcels of a Spanish lorry traveling on the A8 motorway toward Italy. Officials reported that the discovery occurred when agents inspected the lorry, as part of their periodic checks for illegal items, such as drugs.
Upon inspection, the fossils were sent to a prehistory museum in Menton for further analysis. Experts revealed that three of the teeth belonged to the Mosasaurus, a formidable aquatic reptile that existed around 66 million years ago, while another tooth came from the recently identified Zarafasaura oceanis, a marine reptile first named in Morocco in 2011. This particular creature measured roughly 3 meters (10 feet) in length.
In addition, five of the teeth are considered to be from the Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, a distant relative of modern-day crocodiles, known for their elongated bodies and adaptations for marine life. It was reported that the lorry driver was en route to deliver the packages to recipients in the Italian cities of Genoa and Milan.
Authorities are currently working to trace the intended recipients of the parcels, as collecting fossils is permissible under law, but exporting them typically necessitates a proper license. The incident emphasizes the ongoing complexities in fossil collection processes, especially concerning international borders.
During a routine customs inspection on January 28, French customs officers seized nine dinosaur teeth found in parcels of a Spanish lorry traveling on the A8 motorway toward Italy. Officials reported that the discovery occurred when agents inspected the lorry, as part of their periodic checks for illegal items, such as drugs.
Upon inspection, the fossils were sent to a prehistory museum in Menton for further analysis. Experts revealed that three of the teeth belonged to the Mosasaurus, a formidable aquatic reptile that existed around 66 million years ago, while another tooth came from the recently identified Zarafasaura oceanis, a marine reptile first named in Morocco in 2011. This particular creature measured roughly 3 meters (10 feet) in length.
In addition, five of the teeth are considered to be from the Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, a distant relative of modern-day crocodiles, known for their elongated bodies and adaptations for marine life. It was reported that the lorry driver was en route to deliver the packages to recipients in the Italian cities of Genoa and Milan.
Authorities are currently working to trace the intended recipients of the parcels, as collecting fossils is permissible under law, but exporting them typically necessitates a proper license. The incident emphasizes the ongoing complexities in fossil collection processes, especially concerning international borders.
