The Netherlands: Limestone fossils dated to between 72.9 and 66 million years old

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Source (in Dutch): Kalkgesteente bij Maastricht blijkt 72,9 tot 66 miljoen jaar oud

Limestone near Maastricht found to be 72.9 to 66 million years old
30 March 2022 13:00 Last update: 3 hours ago

Limestone rocks found in quarries near Maastricht appear to be 72.9 to 66 million years old. This has been established by Belgian geologists together with the Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht and Natuurmonumenten. This means that the rocks date back to the last age of the dinosaurs, when the region was still a sea. Scientists speak of a breakthrough.

It was previously thought that the lime-stones were from the last dinosaur age, but there was evidence of different animal remains in the rocks than in similar rocks of that age. Therefore, additional research was needed. That carbon survey produced graphs showing that the age was indeed similar to such rocks in Denmark and Italy.

The shells and skeletons of marine animals have formed a package of limestone about 100 meters thick. Special fossils were discovered in earlier excavations, including several of the mosasaurus, which could grow to 18 meters in length.

Such fossils are preserved in the Maastricht Natural History Museum. According to the museum, a lot has already been collected in the past 250 years in various regions around Maastricht, such as the former ENCI quarry and the Hallembaye quarry, but a reliable dating of all the finds was still lacking. Now there is one.

Geologist Johan Vellekoop of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel speaks of a breakthrough. "Thanks to this research, we can learn more about the development of life in the subtropical seas of Maastricht, millions of years ago."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
 
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