Hong Kong officials recently announced a remarkable discovery: dinosaur fossils have been found for the first time in the city, on a remote and uninhabited island. The fossils, which belong to a large dinosaur from the Cretaceous period, dating back approximately 145 to 66 million years, were uncovered on Port Island, located in the northeastern waters of the city’s UNESCO Global Geopark.
During an official statement, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho remarked, “This discovery is of great significance and provides new evidence for research on palaeoecology in Hong Kong.” She further explained that while the species of the dinosaur remains unidentified, studies will be conducted to confirm its classification.
Experts suggest that the dinosaur’s remains may have been originally buried beneath sand and gravel due to a flood, only to be uncovered and then buried again at the excavation site. The discovery was prompted earlier this year when the conservation department notified the Antiquities and Monuments Office about sedimentary rock that appeared to contain vertebrate fossils.
To bolster investigations, the government enlisted the help of experts from mainland China. Currently, Port Island is closed to the public until further notice to allow for continued research and excavations.
On Friday, the fossils will be publicly displayed at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping district. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a temporary workshop by the end of 2024, allowing visitors to watch experts prepare the fossil specimens.
