site.btaSeventh Paleontological Expedition of National Natural Science Museum Finds Dinosaur Fossil in Tran

The seventh paleontological expedition of the National Natural Science Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) to the dinosaur deposit near the town of Tran took place from August 2 to 10, said the press centre of BAS on Friday.

The dinosaur deposit near Tran has emerged as one of the most scientifically promising deposits in Europe from 85-80 million years ago. The team led by Assoc Prof Latinka Hristova collected more than 30 new vertebrate fossils, which will allow paleontologists to reveal more details about what the animal world looked like in the area during this period. 

The fragments of turtle shells are the most numerous finds in 2024, while among the more interesting fossils found is an almost completely preserved bone of a large reptile, probably a dinosaur. The bone is relatively well preserved, but badly cracked, which is why it will be transported safely to Sofia, where it will be cleaned and the species of the animal will be determined.

Other fossils found by the paleontologists include three crocodilian teeth, two fish teeth and a bony fish scale, and fragments of amphibian limb bones. In addition to vertebrate remains, the team also found numerous fossilized plant seeds and nuts, suggesting that the area's vegetation was quite diverse. Two miniature fossils of what is believed to be insect eggs could prove to be the first traces of Mesozoic insects in Bulgaria.

The seventh expedition to the paleontological site near the town of Tran was financed by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.