Story perspectives

British scientists confirm Antarctica’s first dinosaur bone—a titanosaur vertebra.

6/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

British Antarctic Survey researchers identified a 1985 James Ross Island fragment as Antarctica’s first dinosaur bone.
Sauropod expert Paul Barrett said the fragment is a titanosaur vertebra about six to seven metres long.
The Acta Palaeontologica Polonica paper notes the bone is the second sauropod fossil from Antarctica and dates its rock to the Late Cretaceous.
Researchers say the vertebra resembles the South American Muyelensaurus, though species affiliation remains uncertain.

1 of 1

Story summary

British Antarctic Survey researchers identified a 1985 James Ross Island fragment as Antarctica’s first dinosaur bone.
Sauropod expert Paul Barrett said the fragment is a titanosaur vertebra about six to seven metres long.
The Acta Palaeontologica Polonica paper notes the bone is the second sauropod fossil from Antarctica and dates its rock to the Late Cretaceous.
Researchers say the vertebra resembles the South American Muyelensaurus, though species affiliation remains uncertain.