In brief
On January 28, custom officers inspecting a Spanish lorry on the A8 motorway stumbled upon nine dinosaur teeth, leading to an investigation that uncovered their ancient origins.
The officers found the teeth in two parcels, which were sent to a local prehistory museum for expert examination. The results confirmed these fossils belonged to Late Cretaceous period reptiles that roamed the earth approximately 66 to 72 million years ago. Among the notable findings was a 12-meter-long Mosasaurus tooth and others from the Zarafasaura oceanis and Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, both fascinating marine reptiles.According to customs agent Samantha Verduron, lorry checks are common due to potential illegal substances, making this unexpected fossil find even more exciting. The lorry driver indicated the parcels were meant for delivery in Genoa and Milan, and officials are now tracing the intended recipients. While collecting fossils is allowed, exporting them often requires special permits, raising questions about the legality of this shipment.
