French customs officials made an astonishing discovery during a routine check of a Spanish lorry traveling along the A8 motorway, close to the Italian border. On January 28, officers found nine dinosaur teeth hidden inside two parcels, leading them to forward these findings to a prehistory museum in Menton for further examination.
An expert has confirmed that the teeth originated from reptiles dating back to the Late Cretaceous period, around 72 to 66 million years ago, with origins traced back to Morocco. It was revealed that one tooth belonged to a Zarafasaura oceanis, a species that measured approximately 3 meters long. Three of the teeth were identified as belonging to a Mosasaurus, a massive aquatic reptile that could reach lengths of 12 meters. The remaining five teeth are believed to have belonged to Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, an ancestor of modern crocodiles.
The lorry driver stated he was transporting these parcels to recipients in Genoa and Milan. Authorities are currently working to identify these individuals, particularly given that while collecting fossils is legal, exporting them often requires special permits.
An expert has confirmed that the teeth originated from reptiles dating back to the Late Cretaceous period, around 72 to 66 million years ago, with origins traced back to Morocco. It was revealed that one tooth belonged to a Zarafasaura oceanis, a species that measured approximately 3 meters long. Three of the teeth were identified as belonging to a Mosasaurus, a massive aquatic reptile that could reach lengths of 12 meters. The remaining five teeth are believed to have belonged to Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, an ancestor of modern crocodiles.
The lorry driver stated he was transporting these parcels to recipients in Genoa and Milan. Authorities are currently working to identify these individuals, particularly given that while collecting fossils is legal, exporting them often requires special permits.
