Hong Kong officials have uncovered dinosaur fossils on a remote, uninhabited island for the first time. The fossils, dating back to the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago), were found on Port Island, part of the Unesco Global Geopark in the city’s northeastern waters.
Further studies are required to confirm the species of the dinosaur, but experts believe the remains may have been buried by sand and gravel, later resurfacing due to a flood. According to an AP report, the fossils will be displayed at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui starting Friday.
The discovery came after the city’s conservation department flagged sedimentary rock suspected of containing vertebrate fossils in March. Mainland Chinese experts were brought in to investigate, and Port Island is now temporarily closed to the public for further exploration.
A public workshop to observe fossil preparation is planned by the end of 2024.
