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Sleeping Dinosaur Fossil Found in China

2004-10-14 14:48:18 CRIENGLISH.com

A report says that Chinese and American scientists have unearthed what they believe is a 130 million year old, new species of dinosaur.

A report published in UK magazine Nature says that Chinese and American scientists have unearthed what they believe is a 130 million year old, new species of dinosaur.

The fossil was found near Beipiao City in northeast China's Liaoning province, which shows the small two-legged dinosaur sleeps with its head tucked under its forearm similar, to how birds sleep.

Scientists say the sleeping posture indicates the dinosaur may be an ancestor of modern birds.

The 53 centimeter long dinosaur has been named 'Mei Long', which means "soundly sleeping dragon" in Chinese.

Scientists say Mei Long died a sudden death, possibly from being starved of oxygen from being buried under volcanic ash or from being trapped in a cave or burrow.

Many diverse dinosaur fossils have been found in Liaoning province, which is often referred to as the richest area of dinosaur fossil in the world.

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