Skip to main content

Portuguese palaeontologists protest

A Portuguese construction contractor has caused dismay amongst archeologists after he dug up some dinosaur bones. The man put the sauropod tail bones, which measure a total 3.6m long, for sale on the Internet causing a flurry of protest from Portuguese palaeontologists. The valuable bones are thought to be from 146-152 million years old. However, the contractor has so far refused an offer of €100,000 from a Portuguese museum and is also refusing to tell palaeontologists where the find was made.
July 6, 2012 Read time: 1 min
A Portuguese construction contractor has caused dismay amongst archeologists after he dug up some dinosaur bones. The man put the sauropod tail bones, which measure a total 3.6m long, for sale on the Internet causing a flurry of protest from Portuguese palaeontologists. The valuable bones are thought to be from 146-152 million years old. However, the contractor has so far refused an offer of €100,000 from a Portuguese museum and is also refusing to tell palaeontologists where the find was made.

Related Content

  • European regulations for engine emissions are getting tougher
    January 4, 2013
    Emissions remain the focus for engine development but equipment manufacturers want clarity from regulators. Emissions remain a major challenge for the off-highway construction equipment market. The EU has tough targets in this respect and its objective is an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of 80-95% by the year 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There is considerable research already underway on how to reduce fuel consumption and to help ensure the security of energy supply. A number of industry sectors, suc
  • Safer cone collection with X-Cone among the latest safety innovations
    August 30, 2017
    X-Cone is a new traffic cone management system offering a higher level of safety for workers and maximum efficiency for contractors. Austrian-made X-Cone is a truck-mounted system that can manage the setting out and collection of cones from the flatbed of any 3.5tonne vehicle. It does not matter if the cones are straight or laying on the road, the X-cone can still manage the work quickly, safely and reliably, according to the manufacturer. For setting out standard cones, the driver can decide the distance b
  • US highways needs investment
    July 1, 2015
    In the US, the president recently signed a short-term extension for highway funding. This is a two-month extension that will provide funding for highway infrastructure until the end of July. But it is a very temporary measure made as the US Government has so far been unable to agree the longer term deal that will guarantee highway investment. The Highway Trust Fund is in particular need of investment and such a short-term political patch cannot provide the necessary solution to help boost the US constru
  • China looking to export construction machines
    March 16, 2012
    Chinese firms are looking to develop overseas sales but are using very different strategies – Mike Woof reports. Aggressive expansion plans will see Chinese manufacturers boosting overseas sales in coming years. These companies are developing bigger sales profiles around the world, particularly in emergent markets such as Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It is worth noting too that Chinese products continue to gain in terms of quality and performance. For LiuGong, Sany, Shantui, XCMG and Zoomlion