Jurassic Park comes alive in Argentina, the country where some of the world’s most important dinosaur bones have been dug up. The world's oldest-known dinosaur, the world’s largest-known dinosaur as well as the world's largest-known carnivore were all found in Argentina. Replicas of these prehistoric animals are on display in several dinosaur museums around the city of Neuquén.
The Discovery of Dinosaur Bones in Patagonia
Patagonia became world-famous after the first dinosaur in South America was discovered here in 1883. Within Patagonia, Neuquén has gained the honour of being nicknamed "The Valley of Dinosaurs", thanks to the large number of findings. Other territories rich in dinosaur bones are the Gobi Desert in China and the western region of the United States. Patagonia is the richest-known dinosaur area in the Southern hemisphere.
Visit the Dinosaur Museum in Plaza Huincul, in Neuquén
When in 1989 a farmer was preparing a foundation for a barn in his garden, he stumbled across bones that were beyond any size he had ever seen. Palaeontologists investigated the site and concluded the dinosaur bones belonged to the Argentinosaurus Huinculensis, the world's largest-known herbivore dinosaur.
Museo Municipal Carmen Funes at Plaza Huincul is a wonderful dinosaur museum to visit with children: it displays a replica of the 40 metres long and 18 metres high Argentinosaurus Huinculensis. When standing next to it, an adult doesn't even reach the dinosaur's knee and it is difficult to imagine how these massive animals once used to roam the planet – human beings would have been trampled like ants.
Dinosaur Bones and Eggs in Dinosaur Museum Plaza Huincul
An explanatory panel shows which dinosaur bones were found and how the researchers came to the reconstruction of this Argentinosaurus Huinculensis. A guide will give an instructive tour and explain details of other replicas on display as well, like the Giganotosaurus Carolinii – the world's largest carnivore. Furthermore, the dinosaur museum displays dinosaur eggs that were found in Argentina in 2001.
Corner of Ruta 22 and Ruta 17, Plaza Huincul; opening hours Mon-Fri 9am-7.30pm / Sat & Sun 9am-9pm; entrance fee 2 pesos [US $0.65].
Travel to Ernesto Bachman Municipal Museum in Villa El Chocón, Patagonia
In Villa El Chocón, 77 kilometres southwest of Neuquén city, the largest-known, meat-eating dinosaur Giganotosaurus Carolinii was discovered. Measuring 42 feet, it is only slightly longer than the well-known Tyrannosaurus Rex that was found in the United States. The dinosaur is dated as being 100 million years old and was discovered in 1993 by a local fossil hunter, Rubén Carolini.
The Municipal Museum displays the findings of the dinosaur Giganotosaurus Carolinii, of which eighty percent of the fossil material has been rescued. In the surroundings of Lake Exequiel Ramos Mexía, one can see preserved footprints of dinosaurs that lived 105 million years ago.
Guided Tours at Centro Paleontológico Lago Barreales
Paleontological centro Lago Barreales lies northwest of the city of Neuquén along Ruta 51. The area is so rich in dinosaur fossils that just walking there may lead to new discoveries. Apart from visiting the dinosaur museum or a guided tour of the site, visitors are welcome to stay and participate in the search for dinosaur bones and fossils.
Participating in the dinosaur bones and fossil search at Lago Barreales costs about 120 pesos per day [US $30] and is done under the supervision of palaeontologists and project director Jorge Calvo.
Av Megaraptor 1450- Ruta Provincial 51, Km 65 Lago Barreales; tel: 0299-154182295; email: info-turismo@proyectodino.com.ar
How to Visit the Dinosaur Museums in Argentina
Neuquén Airport has flights to Argentina's major cities and tourist destinations such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Salta. Argentina has a well organised system of comfortable, long distance buses between all major cities, and even to surprisingly small towns. To learn about distances and prices, ask at the main bus terminal [Terminal do Omnibus] that each city has.
The Dinosaur museums of Neuquén are spread out. They are most easily visited by taxi, or rental car; you will find car rental agencies at the airport as well as downtown. Neuquén is a pleasant town where you can easily spend a day or two. To learn all about the latest tours and activities, check the Tourist Information Office [Turismo Municipal] at the Gimnasio Parque Central.
Palaeontological Sites and Dinosaur Museums in Argentina
The world's oldest-known dinosaur was found in Ischigualasto Provincial Park, where a replica is displayed in the dinosaur museum at the entrance of the park. More dinosaur bones, or fossils, may be found in museums in Trelew, Bariloche, Puerto Deseado, and in Puerto Natales in south Chile.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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