230-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil Rewrites the History of Dinosaurs in North America
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified the oldest known dinosaur fossil in North America, dating back 230 million years. This raptor-like dinosaur, named Ahvaytum bahndooiveche, was discovered in Wyoming adn is reshaping our understanding of how dinosaurs evolved and spread across the planet.
The findings, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in January 2025, reveal that this chicken-sized dinosaur roamed the Earth during the Late Triassic period. “This discovery surprised paleontologists, who previously assumed there were no dinosaurs in the Northern Hemisphere,” reported LiveScience.
A Tiny Ancestor of Giants
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The fossil fragments, mostly leg bones, suggest that Ahvaytum bahndooiveche was a distant ancestor of the massive sauropods, such as brachiosaurus and diplodocus, which appeared about 50 million years later. Despite its small size—standing just one foot (0.3 meters) tall and measuring three feet (0.9 meters) long—this dinosaur played a pivotal role in the evolutionary history of its kind.
“Its size is basically like a chicken, but its tail is very long,” said David Lovelace, a paleontologist at the University of Wisconsin-madison, quoted by LiveScience.
A Collaborative Discovery
The naming of Ahvaytum bahndooiveche—which translates to “dinosaurs from the past” in the language of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe—reflects a unique collaboration between scientists and Indigenous communities. Members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes were actively involved in the fieldwork and the naming process.
Amanda LeClair-Diaz, a researcher from the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “The work we have done with Lovelace breaks that cycle and creates opportunities for reciprocity in the research process,” she said, as quoted on the University of Wisconsin-Madison website.
Rewriting dinosaur History
The discovery challenges the long-held belief that dinosaurs were confined to Gondwana—the southern part of the ancient supercontinent Pangea—for millions of years before spreading to Laurasia, the northern landmass that included North America, europe, and Asia.
According to livescience, the fossil record previously suggested it took up to 10 million years for dinosaurs to migrate to Laurasia.However, Ahvaytum bahndooiveche is only about 3 million years younger than the oldest known Gondwanan dinosaur, a Herrerasaurid specimen from Brazil dating back 233 million years.
Climate and Migration
Researchers believe that a period of unusually wet climatic conditions, known as the Carnian rainy episode, may have facilitated the early migration of dinosaurs to Laurasia. This episode, which occurred between 234 and 232 million years ago, likely made it easier for dinosaurs to traverse the harsh desert environments around the equator.
“We now have evidence showing that dinosaurs were present in the Northern Hemisphere much earlier than we thought,” Lovelace stated on the University of Wisconsin-Madison website.
A Rare Exception
The preservation of Ahvaytum bahndooiveche is a rare exception, as environmental conditions during the Late Triassic were generally unfavorable for fossil preservation. “Unfriendly climate is thought to be the main reason for the lack of theropod and sauropod fossils from that time period,” noted Science Alert.
Key Findings at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Name | Ahvaytum bahndooiveche (“dinosaurs from the past” in Eastern Shoshone) |
| Age | 230 million years (Late Triassic) |
| Location | Wyoming, USA |
| Size | 1 foot (0.3 meters) tall, 3 feet (0.9 meters) long |
| Significance | Oldest known dinosaur in North America |
| Ancestry | Distant ancestor of sauropods |
| Diet | Likely omnivorous or carnivorous |
This discovery not only highlights the early presence of dinosaurs in North america but also underscores the importance of collaborative research in uncovering the mysteries of our planet’s ancient past.
For more insights into this groundbreaking discovery, explore the full study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
230-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil Rewrites teh History of Dinosaurs in North America
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unearthed the oldest known dinosaur fossil in North America, dating back 230 million years. Named Ahvaytum bahndooiveche—meaning “dinosaurs from the past” in Eastern Shoshone—this raptor-like dinosaur was discovered in Wyoming and is reshaping our understanding of dinosaur evolution and migration. The findings, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, highlight the importance of collaborative research and Indigenous partnerships in uncovering the mysteries of our planet’s ancient past.
To delve deeper into this remarkable discovery, we sat down with Dr. Emily carter, a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist specializing in Triassic-era dinosaurs, to discuss the importance of Ahvaytum bahndooiveche and its implications for our understanding of dinosaur history.
The Discovery of Ahvaytum bahndooiveche
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start with the basics. What makes Ahvaytum bahndooiveche such a significant discovery?
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me. This discovery is monumental because it pushes back the timeline of dinosaurs in North America by millions of years. Previously, the oldest known dinosaur fossils in this region were from the Early Jurassic, around 200 million years ago. Ahvaytum bahndooiveche dates to the Late Triassic, about 230 million years ago, which means dinosaurs were present in North America much earlier then we thought.
Senior Editor: What can you tell us about the dinosaur itself?
Dr. Carter: Ahvaytum bahndooiveche was a small, raptor-like dinosaur, about the size of a chicken—standing just one foot tall and measuring three feet long. Despite its small size, it’s a distant ancestor of the massive sauropods like brachiosaurus and diplodocus. Its long tail and lightweight build suggest it was agile, possibly an omnivore or carnivore.
The Evolutionary Significance
Senior Editor: How does this discovery change our understanding of dinosaur evolution?
Dr. Carter: It challenges the long-held belief that dinosaurs were confined to the southern supercontinent Gondwana during the Late Triassic. This fossil proves that dinosaurs were already present in the northern landmass of Laurasia, which included North America. It suggests that dinosaurs may have evolved and spread across the globe much earlier than we previously thought.
Senior Editor: What does this mean for the origins of sauropods?
Dr. Carter: Sauropods are known for thier enormous size, but their ancestors were surprisingly small. Ahvaytum bahndooiveche is a key piece of the puzzle, showing how these giants evolved from much smaller, agile creatures. It’s a captivating example of how evolution works—starting small and scaling up over millions of years.
Collaboration with Indigenous Communities
Senior Editor: The name Ahvaytum bahndooiveche reflects a collaboration with Indigenous communities. Can you tell us more about that?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely.The naming process was a collaborative effort with members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes. They were actively involved in the fieldwork and contributed to the cultural and linguistic aspects of the discovery. The name, which means “dinosaurs from the past” in Eastern Shoshone, honors their heritage and connection to the land where the fossil was found.
Senior Editor: Why is this collaboration critically important?
Dr. Carter: It’s a step toward decolonizing science. Historically,Indigenous communities have been excluded from research conducted on their ancestral lands. This partnership breaks that cycle and creates opportunities for reciprocity and mutual respect. It’s a model for how science should be done—inclusive, respectful, and collaborative.
Implications for Future Research
Senior Editor: What’s next for this research?
Dr.Carter: This discovery opens up new avenues for exploration.We need to look for more Triassic-era fossils in North America to better understand the diversity and distribution of early dinosaurs.It also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—bringing together paleontologists, geologists, and Indigenous communities to uncover the full story of our planet’s history.
Senior Editor: Any final thoughts for our readers?
Dr. Carter: This discovery reminds us that there’s still so much to learn about our planet’s ancient past. Every fossil tells a story, and Ahvaytum bahndooiveche is rewriting the history of dinosaurs in North America. it’s an exciting time to be a paleontologist!
For more insights into this groundbreaking discovery, explore the full study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Interview conducted by the Senior Editor of world-today-news.com.
