History of the Paleontology and Dinosaur Fossil Discoveries

In the 1900 the world of giants was very much unknown to many. As huge gigantic bones were discovered around the world the initial thought was that these bones had belonged to the giants that were spoken about in the bible, however this was not the case. Hence scientists set out to look for evidence to prove that these large bones had belonged to a type of giant creature and not that the bones were at all human bone fragments (Spencer et al., 2016).

But where would be the best place to look? As was known to geologists which applied their knowledge about rocks, they knew that volcanic rocks would have long ago destroyed any fossil remains because of the changes that have occurred over centuries in and on our planet and soon it surfaced that they had to turn their attention to a kind of rock classified as sedimentary rocks.

During the beginning of the age of the Dinosaurs the earths continents partially formed a single landmass, as the last phase of the breakup of the Pangaea occurred and the Atlantic Ocean continued to widen the supercontinent Gondwanaland was still one great land and very much still intact (Khosla et al., 2016). In the greenhouse lands from 225-330 million years ago dinosaurs flourished, roamed and lived straight through the Triassic age, the first period of the Mesozoic age and survived into the Cretaceous period which was the last period of the Mesozoic era(Andreas et al. , 2010)(Department of Zoology et al., 1995). The extinction of these giants occurred a very long time ago which was about 66 million years ago(M. K. Brett-Surman etal, 2012).

Dinosaurs fossils were discovered and collected in almost all continents as; South-America, Africa, Australia , Antarctica, North-America, Asia but the first discovery was made in New Jersey in 1787(Michael et al, 2011). Meanwhile in earlier years in Europe England in 1669-1763 in Oxford shire, an English dealer discovered three large vertebrae bones belonging to this group of dinosaurs was later confirmed by paleontologists (Lucas et al, 2016).

As their size of bones i. e body makeup illustrated, these species had belonged to a vast large variety of different sauropods giants which were approximately about 175 different species that were discovered and collected around the world as a recent study showed, which made up 18% of the known species of extinct dinosaurs(Michael et al., 2011). They grew very large and had a wide range of body sizes from about 5400kg to size of 150000 kg(Andreas et al., 2010). They belonged to the reptile group because of very similar characteristics as their way of reproduction as they laid eggs and their body temperature which were all displayed in their retrieved skeletal remains (Michael et al., 2011). However even though they had similar body structures like that of elephants today, their skull was light weighed and they were graviportal, quadruple animals with massive limbs which acted as a support system for their heavy weight (Andreas et al., 2010). They had short deep snouts as their footprints recorded indicated that their feet was similar to a soft heel pad which is similar to modern day’s elephants.

Most of their weight was carried by the hind limbs the (sacral vertebrae) vertical column increased during the time their evolution where their scarals increased to allow them to move comfortably and easily (Andreas et al. , 2010). Though most of their skeletal structures in museums around the world indicated their tails on the ground it was however not the case as the fossil remains illustrated that their tales were held off from the ground. Their tales were very crucial for many reasons as it acted as a counter balance during neck movements. ``Andreas’’also indicted that for the small dinosaurs had necks which were much shorter.

As the mating season approached and eggs became fertile, the hatchlings emerged and their length was about 0. 5 m and weighed less than 10 kg. There were also small types of sauropods which weighed between 1. 5 and 3 tons and were 10 m long as this was the best way for creatures to become dominant in this age (Nicole Klein et al, 2011). When it comes to their diets in order for them to maintain a healthy size Sauropods which were herbivores had very large diets they consumed bulk amount of herbal foods and were classified as herbivores. They used their long necks to reach up in high trees and preferred plants such as the conifers, instead of the broad leaves the because they would have received more biomass in their diet and we this was to compensate with their height and these giants had no need to chew their food. Due to the fact that they did not chew their food these giants processed their food in a gastric mill (Phil et al., 1995).

When it comes to the gigantic size of Sauropod’s they weren’t always that large in size. These dinosaurs had initially emerged from a type of species more familiar as the bipedal ancestor which was very small in body size (Martin Sanders et al, 2011). It is probable, however that an increase in body size accompanied by the strengthening of the sacrum and lengthening of the forelimbs other changes such as alterations to the skull which was a decrease in skull size. Even greater lengthening of the neck, shortening of the snout, transition from a carnivorous lifestyle to a herbivorous lifestyle may also have occurred during the Triassic time period, perhaps in relation to a change in feeding preferences.

More importantly an increase in size was beneficial for them as increased size was a way to scare off predators as their long tails were also used as a defense technique against predators. This size also increased their mating skills, increased their intelligence as their brain size also increased and lastly it gave them a resistance to extreme climates. But with advantages there were also disadvantages that came with increased size such as longer time for their young to develop into adults and more care for young as they reproduced less offspring’s (Institute of Biology and Penology et al, 1980). It’s vital to know that the climate in the Mesozoic age was different from the climate that we live in today. It consisted mostly, if not all Vegetation of green broad leaved forests (brachyphyllous) all around the world so dinosaurs lived mostly in the warm temperate zones and therefore did not live in cold climates like Antarctica (icehouse).

In the Late Devonian, Jurassic and Cretaceous age high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could have been the reason why dinosaurs went extinct. Several reasons why these dinosaurs became famous was because of their ideal gigantic size which was memorable and wasn’t easy to erase out of our minds. But most importantly because they thought us about extinction and still do today. They also teach us about the evolution of life and mostly because it fascinates our minds to know that once these gigantic creatures roamed the face of the earth (Nicole Klein et al, 2011)

After very intensive and extensive research by paleontologists who investigated the remains of bones of fossils, and geologists who dictated the areas where to find these fossil remains it can be concluded that the existence of dinosaurs was indeed a fact and not a myth. They flourished in the Jurassic era in which no human had ever lived to witness and therefore this existence was unsure and even unknown to society due to not having lived amongst these giants. It would have been impossible for us to compete in a world with these Giant plant eaters and predators because these animals would have easy stomped the life out of us.