Cretaceous-period fossils spark excitement in city’s paleontological community

Hong Kong — Hong Kong has unveiled its first-ever dinosaur fossils, believed to originate from a large dinosaur, at the Heritage Discovery Centre on October 25, 2024. The fossils, discovered on Port Island, a small, uninhabited outlying island known for its red rock formations, provide new insights into the paleontological history of the region.

These fossils date back to the Cretaceous period, roughly 145 million to 66 million years ago. While further studies are required to identify the specific species, researchers confirmed that they belonged to large vertebrate animals.

The discovery is considered a significant contribution to the study of paleontology in Hong Kong. The city’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department had indicated the possibility of fossilized remains on Port Island earlier in March, based on the sedimentary rock formations in the area.

China’s Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology (IVPP) has signed an agreement to conduct additional research on the fossils.

Assistant Professor Michael Pittman from the Chinese University of Hong Kong expressed excitement over the find, highlighting Hong Kong’s growing presence in global dinosaur research. “This discovery adds to Hong Kong’s strong track record in dinosaur research and I hope it inspires greater interest in science and nature,” said Pittman.

The fossils are now on display at the Heritage Discovery Centre, where eager visitors, including children, lined up to view the ancient remains.