Peirópolis is a rural district located in Uberaba, Brazil. The site is known for its significant paleontological discoveries, particularly the abundant fossil deposits dating back to the Late Cretaceous period, specifically from the Maastrichtian stage. These fossils were first uncovered in the mid-1940s during infrastructure-related activities in the vicinity. In the early 20th century, Peirópolis served as a limestone producer.[1]
The area is home to the Paleontological Research Center Llewellyn Ivor Price, established in 1991, in honor of the contributions made by the Brazilian paleontologist Llewellyn Price, and dedicated to the study of fossils and paleontology. Additionally, the Dinosaur Museum, located adjacent to it, exhibits replicas and fossils from an extensive collection of dinosaurs unearthed in the surrounding area,[2] currently housing an assemblage of 1,500 fossils.[3]
Between 2003 and 2004, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Brazil granted funding for the construction of the headquarters of Rede Nacional de Paleontologia (English: National Paleontology Network) in the district, aimed at preserving fossil sites and promoting local paleontology. However, due to issues related to funding, the project was ultimately canceled.[4]
In 2011, a partnership between the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) and the Executive branch of Minas Gerais led to the acquisition and integration of the remaining facilities into the Complexo Cultural e Científico de Peirópolis (Scientific and Cultural Complex of Peirópolis).[5] Currently, the Paleontological Research Center and the Dinosaur Museum serves as key institutions for paleontological investigations in Brazil, which fosters collaborations among other national and international paleontological institutions, including publication of scholarly articles.[6] The museum hosts exhibitions that explore local paleontology and related studies at both scientific and educational levels.[7]
Fossils from Peirópolis are located in the Serra da Galga Formation, which is part of the Bauru Group and was formerly classified as a member of the Marília Formation.[8] Notable discoveries in the area include extinct species such as Peirosaurus, Uberabatitan, and Uberabasuchus.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Museu dos Dinossauros: esculturas gigantes e fósseis raros para conhecer em Minas Gerais". Guia Viajar Melhor - Lugares para viajar. November 22, 2021.
- ^ "Conheça alguns dos museus e parques que exibem fósseis no Brasil". redeglobo.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ "Publicações Científicas - Centro de Pesquisas Paleontologicas Llewellyn Ivor Price". www.uftm.edu.br. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ "Folha Online - Ciência - Sem revisão, rede nacional de paleontologia tem R$ 4,3 milhões - 09/05/2005". www1.folha.uol.com.br. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ "Centro de Pesquisas Paleontológicas Llewellyn Ivor Price". www.uftm.edu.br. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
- ^ Roberto dos Anjos, Carlos; Paglarelli, Lilian (2004). "Paleofauna cretácica do centro de pesquisas paleontológicas Llewellyn Ivor Price,Peirópolis". Sociedade & Natureza. 16 (31). doi:10.14393/SN-v16-2004-9190.
- ^ "Museu dos Dinossauros". 2024-04-24. Archived from the original on 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Marília Formation at Fossilworks.org
- ^ The dinosauria. David B. Weishampel, Peter Dodson, Halszka Osmólska (2 ed.). Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press. 2004. ISBN 978-0-520-94143-4. OCLC 801843269.
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19°44′38″S 47°44′35″W / 19.744°S 47.743°W
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