Nine teeth, including those of a Mosasaurus and Zarafasaura, were found in a Spanish lorry, prompting an investigation into their intended recipients.
Unearthing History: French Customs Seize Dinosaur Teeth in Lorry Stop
Unearthing History: French Customs Seize Dinosaur Teeth in Lorry Stop
French customs officers discover rare prehistoric fossils during routine inspection near the Italian border.
In a surprising find during a routine inspection on January 28, French customs officials seized nine dinosaur teeth from a Spanish lorry on the A8 motorway, close to the Italian border. The distinct fossils, revealed during the examination of parcels, were sent to a prehistory museum in Menton for further analysis.
Experts confirmed that the teeth traced back to reptiles from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, hailing from Morocco. Among the collection were teeth belonging to a Zarafasaura oceanis, a marine reptile that reached up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length, and three teeth from a Mosasaurus, a large aquatic predator that could grow as long as 12 meters. Additional teeth likely belonged to the Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, a substantial predecessor to modern crocodiles.
The lorry driver stated that the parcels were destined for recipients in the Italian cities of Genoa and Milan. French authorities are now investigating to determine who the intended recipients were. While collecting fossils is permitted, exporting them often requires a specific license, which may highlight the legality surrounding these items.
Experts confirmed that the teeth traced back to reptiles from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, hailing from Morocco. Among the collection were teeth belonging to a Zarafasaura oceanis, a marine reptile that reached up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length, and three teeth from a Mosasaurus, a large aquatic predator that could grow as long as 12 meters. Additional teeth likely belonged to the Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, a substantial predecessor to modern crocodiles.
The lorry driver stated that the parcels were destined for recipients in the Italian cities of Genoa and Milan. French authorities are now investigating to determine who the intended recipients were. While collecting fossils is permitted, exporting them often requires a specific license, which may highlight the legality surrounding these items.
