COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN THE INDEPENDENT
Discovery of biggest
dinosaur ever hailed by scientists as fossilised bones of Patagotitan unearthed
in Argentina
I have been interested in dinosaurs since childhood.
And the truly remarkable thing over that period is the work
of many, many scientists using ever-new technologies to change our entire
understanding.
The reptile thesis passed away.
The bird thesis seems confirmed.
The variety of species has become immense, especially with
discoveries in China and Argentina.
The whole idea of true gigantism has arisen, as with these
Titanosaurs.
We've found everything from eggs and skin to feathers and
organs. Just amazing.
The lessons of the period are, I think, first, the amazing
fact that the inanimate universe retains its own history and that, second,
technology just keeps advancing enabling us to discover that history.
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Response to another
reader speculating on what caused such a huge dinosaur to evolve:
It may have had something to do with evolutionary response
to the size of their opponents too.
It is also in Argentina, they've discovered bigger-than-ever
versions of the raptors.
____________________________
Response to another
reader discussing two different “tons”:
I believe we actually have three "tons."
The short ton (2000 pounds) is the American measure. The
just say "ton."
The long ton (aka, the imperial ton - 2240 pounds) is the
old British measure.
