Hong Kong Uncovers First-Ever Dinosaur Fossil: Report

Hong Kong officials have announced the discovery of dinosaur fossils on a remote, uninhabited island in the city, marking a first for the region. According to the government, these fossils, found on Port Island, belong to a large dinosaur from the Cretaceous period, dating back between 145 million and 66 million years.

Further studies are planned to confirm the dinosaur’s exact species. The fossils were located in the UNESCO Global Geopark in Hong Kong’s northeastern waters and are now displayed in one of the city’s shopping districts. Development Secretary Bernadette Linn Hon-ho noted the discovery’s significance, stating it provides crucial new information for studying Hong Kong’s ancient ecosystems.

Experts believe that the dinosaur’s remains were initially buried in gravel and sand after a major flood, which later resurfaced and settled again at the discovery site. The find came after Hong Kong’s conservation department informed the Antiquities and Monuments Office in March about sedimentary rock on Port Island that appeared to contain vertebrate fossils. Until now, only dinosaur-era fish fossils had been found in Hong Kong.

Professor Michael Pittman, a paleontologist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, described the discovery as a milestone. While Hong Kong is known for its urban landscape, it also has extensive country parks, where most rocks are from the dinosaur era. However, these rocks are typically volcanic, making fossil preservation rare. Port Island, however, has the ideal type of sedimentary rock for fossil preservation, and Pittman hopes this discovery might offer insights distinct from other notable fossil sites in China, like Sichuan and Yunnan.

The government has enlisted experts from mainland China for further field studies and, for now, has closed Port Island to the public to facilitate ongoing excavations. Starting Friday, October 25, the fossils will be displayed at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Additionally, by late 2024, officials plan to open a temporary workshop where visitors can watch fossil specimens being prepared by experts.