January 18, 2024

X-ray scanning conducted by Aarhus University reveals that 13 long-neck dinosaur eggs from the Evolution Museum in Denmark gave life to nine living dinosaurs 70 million years ago.

A final determination has been made regarding a nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs from a European long-neck dinosaur, which was examined with a powerful CT scanner at Aarhus University in October. The images required additional analysis.

"During the scan, we could immediately see signs that some of the eggs had hatched while others had not. Now, after having the images reviewed by multiple researchers, the conclusion in the report is that 9 of the 13 eggs actually hatched. This is fantastic, as it means nine fresh dinosaurs came into the world from this nest," explains Christoffer Knuth, director of the Evolution Museum in Knuthenborg Safari Park.

When the eggs were scanned in October, it was the first time long-neck dinosaur eggs were scanned in Denmark, with the hope of finding signs of life. Therefore, Christoffer Knuth is thrilled with the report's final conclusion.

"I am overjoyed that we now know for sure that the nest gave life to nine long-neck dinosaurs. One must consider how poor the odds were for an egg to become a living dinosaur. Some eggs were eaten, some were destroyed, and some were never fertilized. We can only speculate about how the young dinosaurs' lives continued after hatching from our nest, but it was likely a very harsh life being a dinosaur," he says.

An adult Hypselosaurus, which means "highest lizard," could grow to about 12 meters in length and weigh 7-14 tons.

Preservation of the Eggs

Each egg measures approximately 30 centimeters in length. The nest rests on a rock measuring 1.9 meters by 80 centimeters and weighs 225 kilograms.

"There are four eggs that have not hatched but contain some hyperintense objects inside. This means there is something inside the eggs, but we cannot determine what it is without breaking the eggs open. We do not wish to do that, given they have remained undisturbed for 70 million years," Christoffer Knuth explains.

The eggs are on display at the Evolution Museum in Knuthenborg Safari Park, which opened in the summer of 2023.

Facts: The 13 Rare Dinosaur Eggs

• The dinosaur eggs were found in France and belong to a Hypselosaurus, a long-neck dinosaur that lived 70 million years ago.
• A Hypselosaurus egg is elongated and measures about 30 centimeters in length.
• An adult Hypselosaurus was about 12 meters long and weighed 7-14 tons.