Description

These precious relics from the late Cretaceous period are eggshell pieces believed to come from a Saltasaurus dinosaur—a distant relative of Brontosaurus / Apatosaurus. Fossil evidence shows that Saltasaurus had thousands of spines covering its entire body, similar to a pin cushion. In addition to these spines, Saltasaurus also had a number of unusual armor plates called "scutes" spread across its back as protection against attack from large carnivores such as Tyrannosaurus. Saltasaurus lived 65-75 million years ago in what is now a desert area in Argentina now known as Patagonia, in the province of Neuquén. Eggshell pieces are approximately 1 inch on the longest axis. Shape, color and size vary.