"An Australian fossil enthusiast has uncovered the 'most complete' skeleton of a gargantuan dinosaur-age sea creature ever found in the country. The almost entirely intact ichthyosaur skeleton was unearthed about 100km south of McKinlay, on Toolebuc Station in western Queensland, by local landowner and fossil enthusiast Cassandra Prince after she noticed a tiny bone poking above the dirt. Experts say the 90 per cent intact skeleton measuring 7.1metres in length is one of the most scientifically valuable marine fossils ever found."
"'There's so many out there,' Ms Pentland said. 'The town of Winton has the tagline ''Dinosaur Capital of Australia'' but when you zoom out and look at neighbouring towns, like Richmond, there are truly some of the best fossils in the country. 'It's not unheard of for someone in Central Western Queensland to find a dinosaur or marine reptile on their property - it's incredible.'"
A nearly complete ichthyosaur skeleton measuring 7.1 metres and estimated at 90 percent intact was discovered about 100km south of McKinlay on Toolebuc Station in western Queensland. Local landowner Cassandra Prince found a small bone protruding and led a year-long excavation that revealed a complete vertebral column, intact left flipper, partial right flipper, rare hind flippers, partial tail fin and an almost complete skull and torso. Ichthyosaurs were marine reptiles that lived from the Triassic through the Cretaceous in the Eromanga Sea. Paleontologists regard the specimen as one of Australia’s most scientifically valuable marine fossils. Museum founders Judy and David Elliott assisted with the excavation.
Read at Mail Online
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