A Frenchman named Damien Boschetto recently revealed an astonishing secret he had been withholding for nearly two years, involving the discovery of a nearly complete dinosaur skeleton. Boschetto, a 25-year-old resident of Cruzy in southern France, stumbled upon the dinosaur bones while walking his dog in a local forest in May 2022.
Boschetto uncovered not just a few scattered bones but an almost intact 70-million-year-old titanosaur skeleton, a remarkable find considering its age and preservation.
According to France Bleu, Boschetto described the accidental discovery as a result of a cliffside landslide that exposed various skeletons during his routine walk with his dog.
He intentionally kept the find under wraps to allow paleontologists adequate time to excavate the entire skeleton before inviting public attention to prevent any disturbance or looting. The fossil is currently on public display at the Cruzy Museum.
Titanosaurs were herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their elongated necks and were prevalent during the Cretaceous period, spanning from 145 to 66 million years ago. These massive creatures could reach lengths of up to 85 feet and weigh a staggering 70 tons.
The discovery of the titanosaur skeleton adds to our understanding of these ancient giants and sheds light on the biodiversity during their era.
In a reminiscent nod to popular culture, the sheer scale and significance of Boschetto’s find can be likened to Fred Flintstone’s iconic pet dinosaur, Dino, showcasing the magnitude of this historical unearthed treasure.
Following his incredible discovery, Boschetto made a career shift, leaving his job in the energy sector to pursue a master’s degree in paleontology, solidifying his passion and commitment to the field.