In the rugged Middle Atlas Mountains near Boulemane, Morocco, paleontologists have uncovered a remarkable glimpse into the Jurassic era.
Three fossilized teeth, belonging to colossal dinosaurs that roamed the planet over 165 million years ago, have been extracted from Moroccan soil, marking the oldest known evidence of the Turiasauria group on the African continent.
Turiasauria were massive herbivorous dinosaurs, closely related to sauropods famed for their long necks and enormous size. Unlike their more evolved cousins, known as neosauropods, Turiasauria possessed distinctive heart-shaped, flat teeth.
It is these dental features that allowed scientists to identify the Moroccan fossils as part of this prehistoric group.
The remains date back to the Bathonian stage of the Middle Jurassic, approximately 168 to 166 million years ago—a period when large land vertebrates were diversifying at an unprecedented rate.
Previously, Turiasauria had only been documented in Europe, making the Middle Atlas discovery a major milestone in understanding the ancient distribution of these dinosaurs.
“This finding enriches our understanding of the geographical spread of Turiasauria and highlights Morocco’s central role in the study of Jurassic life,” said a member of the research team.
The Boulemane site, already famous for its paleontological wealth, has yielded extraordinary specimens over the years, including the world’s oldest known ankylosaurus—an armored dinosaur—and what may be the earliest bird ever discovered.
Recent floods have exposed new geological layers, providing researchers with easier access to these ancient treasures.
The discovery underscores Morocco’s position as a critical window into prehistoric life. Situated at the crossroads of ancient continents, the country offers unique insights into the migration, adaptation, and diversification of species during the Jurassic period.
Turiasauria, once considered largely European, are now understood to have roamed a far wider territory, prompting scientists to revisit established theories about dinosaur dispersal and evolutionary history.
With each fossil unearthed, the Middle Atlas Mountains reaffirm their reputation as a sanctuary for prehistoric life, offering a vivid glimpse into a world that existed long before humans walked the Earth.
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