Neuquén province holds a wealth of palaeontological resources.
Neuquén province holds a wealth of palaeontological resources.
It is an extraordinary reservoir of extinct species of plants and animals, especially terrestrial vertebrates and marine invertebrates, belonging to different groups and with varied ecological characteristics.
In the past few years, palaeontology in the territory of Neuquén has turned into a scientific-cultural attraction, which at the same time is attractive for tourists who visit the area.
In the centre of Villa El Chocón town, Ernesto Bachmann Municipal Museum exhibits the palaeontological and archaeological material discovered in the nearby area.
The main attractions of the museum are the remains of Giganotosaurus carolinii, whose name means “great lizard of the south”, which was discovered in 1993, and is considered the largest carnivorous dinosaur of all times, even bigger than the Tyrannosaurus rex.
In Plaza Huincul, Carmen Funes Municipal Museum, located near the entrance of the town, is characterized by the restoration of its exhibition rooms and the development of its scientific research.
The most important discovery displayed in the museum is the Argentinosaurus huinculensis, the largest herbivorous dinosaur in the world. It belongs to the sauropods group, and to the titanosauridae family.
Its name means “Argentine reptile from Huincul”. This specimen was found in 1988, 5 miles east from the city of Plaza Huincul. Presently, Giganotosaurus carolinii and Argentinosaurus huinculensis are the most representative specimens of Neuquén’s fields, and they turn this region into one of the most important dinosaur areas in South America.
In the Palaeontological Centre Los Barreales Lake (CEPALB), located near the artificial lake Los Barreales, visitors can witness the extraction, preparation, scientific research and exhibition of the fossil remains discovered in the site, a rich 90 million-year-old palaeontological reservoir.
In Rincón de los Sauces, the Argentino Urquiza Palaeontological Museum exhibits the most complete Titanosaur in the world. This dinosaur is part of the Cretacic fauna of the region.
In an area next to Auca Mahuida volcano, palaeontologists discovered remains of dinosaurs’ nests and eggs. These are so extraordinary that they are considered a unique scientific phenomenon.
Near Añelo, there are two dinosaur replicas made by the artist Carlos Regazzoni with industrial waste from the oil activity, reason why they are called “Petrosaurios”.
In San Patricio del Chañar, during the building of Familia Schroeder Winery, an Aeolosaurus (wind lizzard), which belongs to the Titanosauridae family, was discovered, and it is currently on display in one of its rooms.
