discovery. Dinosaur ‘nesting sites’ found in Madhya Pradesh

A group of researchers has claimed to have found two new ‘nesting sites’ of dinosaurs in Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh.

According to researchers, the rare fossilised dinosaur eggs lying at these places are about 6.5 crore years old.

“We have found two new nesting sites of dinosaurs in Dhar district, about 125 kms away from Indore. The nests formed by the dinosaurs at these places got buried under rocks during the geographical turbulence that happened about 6.5 crore years ago,” geologist Vishal Verma said on Friday.

The nesting sites in Baag area of Dhar district are at a distance of about 8 km from each other. At each of these places, there could be at least 15 fossils of dinosaur eggs. Research is on to ascertain the exact number of such fossils, he said. “A detailed study at these places could also provide information about the method of laying of eggs by dinosaurs. This could also throw light on whether the dinosaurs used the same place again and again to lay eggs,” he said.

Watershed discovery

In 2007 about 25 nests of dinosaurs belonging to the Jurassic period were discovered from the district. A large number of fossilised dinosaur eggs were found in these nests.

The State government is already working to develop the 108 hectares area in Dhar district as a ‘National Dinosaur Fossil Park’.

Verma said the fossilised eggs of dinosaurs found in Dhar belong to the ‘Sauropod family’ of the extinct animal. “According to our study, the dinosaurs used to come from far off places to lay eggs in sandy areas here. These dinosaurs were around 20 to 30 feet tall,” he added.