A scientific team operating in the arid highlands of northern Chile has identified dinosaur bone fragments and footprints in the Tarapacá region, marking a significant shift in the paleontological understanding of the area. While the region has long been known for its fossilized tracks, the discovery of actual skeletal remains provides a new, tangible link to the terrestrial creatures that once inhabited the landscape.
The locate was led by geologist Diego Rojo and a team of four researchers working in the pre-cordillera zone near Pica. The discovery occurred during an expedition focused on the region’s abiotic heritage, revealing a complex prehistoric ecosystem that includes not only dinosaur remains but also abundant fossilized tree trunks.
This hallazgo de un dinosaurio en Pica is being viewed as a scientific milestone for the region. Until now, the record of dinosaurs in Tarapacá consisted primarily of “icnitas”—fossilized footprints—rather than the biological remains of the animals themselves. The presence of bones allows researchers to move beyond observing behavior and movement to potentially identifying species and biological traits.
The Geology of the Chacarilla Formation
The fossils were located within the “chacarilla” formation, a geological layer that the team estimates dates back between 95 and 68 million years. While Rojo mentions these may correspond to the Upper or Lower Jurassic, the date range specifically points toward the Cretaceous period, a time of significant dinosaur diversification.
The discovery was a blend of strategic planning and serendipity. The team utilized satellite imagery to cross-reference known geological data with topographical features, creating a hypothesis of where fossils might be exposed. Still, the exact location of the bone fragments was found by chance during the final day of their field work.
“We can say that it has a part of both [planned and fortuitous],” Rojo explained, noting that while they were searching for indicators of fossils, the vastness of the terrain meant that the final observation relied on a degree of luck. “The place is extensive and we must consider that the conditions to maintain these remains must be preserved.”
Bridging the Gap Between Marine and Terrestrial Records
The scientific importance of this find lies in the contrast with previous regional discoveries. Tarapacá has a rich history of marine fossils, including invertebrates found from the coast up to 4,000 meters above sea level. The Museo Regional de Iquique has previously highlighted the Atmosaurius, a marine dinosaur that occupied the region’s ancient waters.
However, terrestrial records have been sparse. While other northern regions, such as Antofagasta, have yielded similar bone remains in comparable rock formations, Tarapacá had lacked this evidence. The identification of bones in the Pica area fills a critical gap in the regional prehistoric map.
The discovery was made under the umbrella of the Tarapacá Viva project. This initiative seeks to bring the region’s “abiotic” material—including fossils, geology, geography, and ancient petroglyphs—into the public consciousness and the classroom. By reframing the desert not as a lifeless void, but as a living archive, the project aims to bolster both local education and sustainable tourism.
Summary of Fossil Findings in Tarapacá
| Fossil Type | Location/Context | Scientific Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Icnitas (Footprints) | Pre-cordillera/Pica | Evidence of dinosaur movement and presence. |
| Bone Fragments | Chacarilla Formation | First major terrestrial skeletal evidence in the region. |
| Marine Fossils | Coast to 4,000m altitude | Extensive record of invertebrates and marine reptiles. |
| Fossilized Logs | Pica vicinity | Indicates prehistoric vegetation and climate. |
Legal Protocols and Next Steps
Despite the excitement of the find, the team did not remove any samples from the site. Under Chilean law, the unauthorized removal of paleontological material is illegal. Rojo emphasized that the team’s priority was to document the site and report the coordinates to the Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales (National Monuments Council).
The current phase of the project is focused on planning a formal intervention. This involves creating a professional work program to define how the materials will be recovered, cured, and studied without damaging the integrity of the site. The ultimate goal is to produce replicas and exhibits for regional and national museums so that the inhabitants of Tarapacá can access their own prehistoric heritage.
Further exploration has been temporarily halted by the invierno altiplánico (highland winter), a season of intense rainfall and unpredictable weather in the Andes that makes access to remote areas dangerous and impractical.
The team is now planning a second expedition to coincide with the complete of the rainy season. This next phase will focus on gathering precise data and inviting additional researchers to establish new lines of investigation into the hallazgo de un dinosaurio en Pica and its implications for South American paleontology.
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