A small fossil, unearthed on an Antarctic island over 40 years ago, is identified as the tail vertebra of a titanosaur sauropod dinosaur that roamed Antarctica around 83 million years ago. This significant discovery was detailed in a new study published in Acta Paleontology Polonica. Notably, this is the first dinosaur bone discovered in Antarctica and the second sauropod fossil known from the region.
Reconstruction of the life of an Antarctic titanosaur. Image credit: Andrew McAfee, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
This rare Antarctic dinosaur vertebra was discovered in the Santa Marta Formation on James Ross Island, located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Cataloged as BAS D.8621.25, this specimen originates from the Campanian period of the Late Cretaceous, approximately 83 million years ago.
The fossil was originally unearthed on December 9, 1985, by British Antarctic Survey geologist Michael Thomson and German paleontologist Reinhard Förster, but its significance remained unknown until recently.
According to Professor Paul Barrett, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London, “At first glance, this looks like an ordinary fossil, but as the first dinosaur fossil discovered on the continent, it holds an important place in the history of Antarctic exploration.”
He adds, “When this animal was alive, Antarctica would have been covered in lush temperate forests, providing ample food for large herbivores.”
“The potential for more dinosaur discoveries in Antarctica exists. As ice levels recede due to climate change, we may uncover additional evidence of this rich biodiversity,” he stated.
In the recent study, Barrett and colleagues classified BAS D.8621.25 as a member of the titanosauridae family, which includes some of the largest land animals known to have existed.
This specimen is believed to be a juvenile or dwarf species, measuring only 6 to 7 meters long.
Dr. Mark Evans, a paleontologist and manager of geological collections at the British Antarctic Survey, noted, “When I first found this bone in our collection a few years ago, I suspected it might be a dinosaur. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was likely a titanosaur caudal vertebra.”
BAS D.8621.25 specimen collected from the Santa Marta Formation on James Ross Island, Antarctica. Image credit: Barrett et al., doi: 10.4202/app.01315.2025.
The BAS D.8621.25 fossil is not only the first dinosaur bone collected in Antarctica but also predates the famous armored dinosaur Antarctopelta oliveroi, discovered in 1986, long thought to be the continent’s first discovery. This new finding represents the second sauropod fossil identified in Antarctica.
This discovery indicates that Antarctica was home to various lineages of long-necked sauropods during the Cretaceous period, reinforcing its role as a land bridge uniting South America, Australia, and New Zealand before the fragmentation of Gondwana.
Dr. Matthew Lamanna, a paleontologist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, remarked, “This bone sat in a collection drawer for decades until new research unveiled its identity. It’s rare evidence that long-necked sauropod dinosaurs once lived in Antarctica.”
Samantha Beeston, a researcher at University College London, added, “This serves as a powerful reminder of why museums collect and preserve artifacts. Emerging methods and expertise enable scientists to unlock discoveries from specimens that have long remained obscure.”
She concluded, “For many, Antarctica appears to be an enigmatic and remote world, yet discoveries like this captivate scientists seeking to understand the evolution of our planet.”
“During the Cretaceous when this animal existed, Antarctica was part of the Gondwana supercontinent. This discovery illustrates how its relatives migrated between South America and Australia via Antarctica,” Beeston explained.
Researchers are utilizing modern technologies such as CT scans to analyze the internal structure of bones, and the CT data employed in this study facilitated the elucidation of previously hidden anatomical details, enhancing our understanding of fossil anatomy.
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Paul M. Barrett et al. 2026. A titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica. Acta Paleontology Polonica 71 (2): 349-362; doi: 10.4202/app.01315.2025
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