Oldest Dinosaur Fossils Found in India: 'Tharosaurus indicus' Unveiled

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have made a groundbreaking discovery in Jaisalmer – the oldest fossil remains of a dicraeosaurus dinosaur. This long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur, named 'Tharosaurus indicus,' has revealed that India played a crucial role in the evolution of dinosaurs.

Published in the international journal 'Scientific Reports,' the study indicates that the fossils are approximately 167 million years old and belong to a previously unknown species. The name 'Tharosaurus indicus' was chosen to honor the Thar desert where the fossils were unearthed and the country of origin, respectively.

Prior to this discovery, dicraeosaurid dinosaur fossils had been found in North and South Americas, Africa, and China, but not in India. The breakthrough was made possible by a systematic fossil exploration and excavation program initiated by GSI in 2018 in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer region. Over the course of five years, Professor Sunil Bajpai and colleague Debajit Datta from IIT-Roorkee meticulously studied the fossils.

The rocks housing the fossils are estimated to be around 167 million years old, making this newly identified sauropod not just the oldest known dicraeosaurus but also the oldest diplodocus globally, which encompasses dicraeosaurus and closely related sauropods. This discovery challenges previous notions that the oldest dicraeosaurus was from China, dating back about 166-164 million years.

The finding not only adds a new dimension to the understanding of dinosaur evolution but also highlights India's significant role in this ancient process. The study underscores the importance of continued fossil exploration and research in uncovering new insights about Earth's prehistoric inhabitants.

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