Australian Dinosaurs

Eromanga Dinosaur Project Pages

Natural History Society

‘COOPER’ Australia's Largest Dinosaur*

PROFILE

Location:  West of Eromanga, South-west Queensland, Australia

Age:  Approximately 95-98 million years ago: Cenomanian Epoch , mid-Cretaceous Period

Size: Unknown exactly until scientifically described but at least 28m.

Type:  Very large plant eating (herbivore ) dinosaur

Formation: Cooper/Eromanga Basin’s, Winton Formation

Classification: Family Titanosaurid  - one of the last remaining Sauropod groups in the  Cretaceous Period. Detailed scientific classification of this new species will be available after ‘Cooper’ is fully excavated, prepared and then scientifically published.

Excavation:  Excavation of ‘Cooper’s’ skeleton has ceased for the time being so that work can be concentrated on preparing the numerous massive bones already excavated.  Many weeks over a three year period have been spent excavating these bones and Paleontologist’s believe it is possible the site has still more to yield.

Interesting facts about ‘Cooper’:

Largest dinosaur ever to be discovered in Australia. ‘Cooper’ is in the top ten of the largest dinosaurs in the world. ‘Cooper’s’ collection of bones represent some of the most complete titanosaur bones known. ‘Cooper’ will represent one of the most complete plant eating dinosaurs in Australia. At least ten metres larger than any other dinosaur found in Australia. ‘Cooper’ represents a new dinosaur species to the world. ‘Cooper’ was found on a tributary of the famous inland river system, Cooper Creek in the Cooper/Eromanga Basin and this is where the nickname came from.

                                                                   

Photos courtesy of Outback Gondwana Foundation©

PROFILE: ‘ZAC’ AUSTRALIA’S NEW DINOSAUR DISCOVERY

Location:  West of Eromanga, South-west Queensland, Australia

Age:  Approximately 95-98 million years ago: Cenomanian Epoch , mid-Cretaceous Period

Size:   Unknown exactly until scientifically described but very large.

Type:  Very large plant eating (herbivore ) dinosaur

Formation: Cooper/Eromanga Basin’s, Winton Formation

Classification: Family Titanosaurid (most likely)  - one of the last remaining Sauropod groups in the Cretaceous Period.  Detailed scientific classification of this new species will be available after ‘Zac’ is fully excavated, prepared and then scientifically      published.

Excavation:  Excavation of ‘Zac’s’ skeleton only begun in the 2009 field season. The full potential of this dinosaur site is yet to be realized but Paleontologists say these new discoveries confirm that the South-west Queensland sites will be of great significance, not only for Australia, but for the greater understanding of all dinosaurs.  Early indications are the ‘Zac’s skeleton is different and even more complete than ‘Cooper’s’.

 Interesting facts about ‘Zac’:

• One of the largest dinosaurs ever to be discovered in Australia.
• ‘Zac’ represents a new dinosaur species to the world.
• ‘Zac’s site was discovered on ANZAC day in 2006 and this is where the nickname ‘Zac’ came from.  

PROFILE:  ‘GEORGE’ AUSTRALIAN DINOSAUR DISCOVERY

Location:  West of Eromanga, South-west Queensland, Australia

Age:  Approximately 95-98 million years ago: Cenomanian Epoch , mid-Cretaceous Period

Size:   Unknown exactly until scientifically described but an absolute monster and possibly larger than Cooper.

Type:  Very large plant eating (herbivore ) dinosaur

Formation: Cooper/Eromanga Basin’s, Winton Formation

Classification: Family Titanosaurid  - one of the last remaining Sauropod groups in the Cretaceous Period. 
Excavation:  Only preliminary excavations have taken place at ‘George’s’ site and until further work is done at this site, very limited information is available.  Based on large fragments already found this dinosaur has the potential to knock ‘Cooper’ off his pedestal and also shake up some of the world record holders!!

Preparation:

OGF Fossil Preparators, Queensland Museum technicians and volunteers will prepare   all the Eromanga dinosaur’s bones in a purpose build Field Museum about 30kms from the excavation site.  This Field Museum is funded and run by the Outback Gondwana Foundation www.ogf.org.au .

Display:

As each of the  Eromanga Dinosaur’s are excavated, prepared and scientifically described, the bones will be on public display in the planned Eromanga Field Museum of Natural History, South-west Queensland and housed  in accordance to the rules of the  International Code of  Zoolological Nomenclature and the National Standards for  Australian Museums and Galleries.

Interesting facts about the Eromanga Dinosaurs: