ARGENTINA: Paleontologists in Argentina have discovered an exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur egg estimated to be around 70 million years old in the Patagonia region. The remarkable find offers scientists a rare and detailed glimpse into life during the Late Cretaceous period.
Unearthed on the dusty plains of Río Negro in northern Patagonia, the fossilized egg is similar in size and shape to that of a modern ostrich. Despite its ancient age, the egg’s condition appears almost freshly laid, astonishing researchers with its near-pristine preservation.
Experts believe the egg belonged to a *Bonapartenykus*, a small carnivorous theropod that once inhabited the area. According to scientists, it is among the most intact dinosaur eggs ever discovered in South America.
“Eggs from predatory dinosaurs are extremely rare,” explained Gonzalo Muñoz, a paleontologist at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences. “These species were less abundant than herbivores, and their eggs were more fragile. Finding one in such perfect condition after millions of years is truly extraordinary.”
While previous excavations in Patagonia have yielded fossilized eggs, few have remained as intact as this specimen. Early analysis suggests the egg may even contain traces of embryonic material. Researchers plan to perform advanced imaging scans to determine whether any remains are preserved within the shell.
The discovery took place during *Cretaceous Expedition I*, an ongoing project studying prehistoric ecosystems in northern Patagonia. Alongside the dinosaur egg, scientists uncovered fossilized mammal teeth and snake vertebrae, suggesting the region may have once been a nesting site during the Cretaceous era.
Footage from the dig site shows expedition leader Federico Agnolín identifying the egg on the surface before carefully examining it. In an Instagram video, Agnolín described the discovery as possibly the first of its kind in South America, revealing that several eggs were found clustered together.
The fossil has since been transferred to the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences for further study. If embryonic tissue is confirmed, researchers say the discovery could mark a major milestone in South American paleontology, deepening understanding of dinosaur reproduction and evolution.
“This level of preservation connects us directly to a world that existed millions of years ago,” Muñoz said. “It helps us learn how these remarkable creatures lived, reproduced, and adapted to their environment.”
