Dinosaur eggs, long a mystery, are now 86 million years old – but how did scientists pinpoint their age so precisely?
Researchers have directly dated dinosaur eggs for the first time. They used a novel "atomic clock" method for fossils. This technique analyzes radioactive decay in crystals within the eggs.
The eggs, discovered in China, are estimated to be around 85 to 86 million years old. This places them firmly within the Late Cretaceous period. The new dating method offers unprecedented accuracy.
This breakthrough provides valuable insights into dinosaur nesting habits. It also helps refine our understanding of the Cretaceous period's timeline.
Future research will likely apply this innovative technique to other fossils, potentially rewriting our knowledge of prehistoric life.
