La Colonia Formation, Geological formation in Chubut, Argentina
La Colonia Formation is a geological layer in Chubut Province made up of sandstone, shale, and mudstone that reaches a considerable thickness in certain areas. The rock strata run across a wide part of Patagonia and hold fossil remains from the Late Cretaceous period.
Geologists first documented this formation during surveys carried out in the 1950s, when they uncovered a range of Late Cretaceous fossil remains. Excavations since then have gradually built up a much clearer picture of Patagonia's prehistoric past.
Researchers from around the world travel to this part of Patagonia to study fossils of dinosaurs, turtles, and ancient plants. The site regularly brings together international teams who work side by side to piece together what life looked like here during the Late Cretaceous.
Official permits and coordination with local authorities are required for any scientific research or excavation work at the site. Anyone planning to visit should get in touch with the relevant agencies well in advance, as access is not open to the general public.
More than 300 mammal skeletons have been found here alongside dinosaur bones, which is very rare for a single site of this age. Among the dinosaur remains is Carnotaurus sastrei, a meat-eating theropod known for the small horns above its eyes.
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