Reviving Giants: New Mexico's Dinosaur Legacy

A New Mexico fossil site, revealing varied dinosaur species like the colossal Alamosaurus, dates to just before the catastrophic asteroid strike, suggesting these creatures were thriving pre-impact. The study challenges past theories of a global dinosaur decline before the Cretaceous extinction event.

Researchers employed dual dating methods to confirm that fossils at the Naashoibito site are roughly 340,000 years shy of the asteroid's impact mark. This research counters arguments that these fossils were far older or from the latest Cretaceous, cutting through years of paleontological debate.

The findings highlight the complex diversity among regional dinosaur communities, contrasting with fossil evidence from other parts of North America. The discovery underscores the dinosaur's adaptability and flourishing state right until the asteroid-triggered mass extinction event.