Two years ago, Damien Boschetto embarked on a leisurely walk with his beloved border collie mix, Muffin, near his home in Cruzy, southern France. Little did he know that this walk would lead to a remarkable discovery that would captivate the world. While Muffin happily explored the forest trail, Boschetto, who had a keen interest in paleontology since his college days, searched for fossils.
His trained eye soon spotted something intriguing jutting out from an eroded cliff—a bone. And not just any bone— it turned out to be the pelvic bone of a massive titanosaur, a species of long-necked dinosaurs known to be amongst the largest creatures ever to inhabit our planet. Titanosaurs, weighing up to 70 tons and measuring up to 85 feet in length, are not commonly found in Europe, which makes this discovery even more exceptional.
This remarkable find was initially kept under wraps to protect the archaeological site, but now, Boschetto is opening up about his incredible discovery. He confessed that while he had unearthed dinosaur bones before, the thrill of discovering new ones never diminished.
Boschetto’s find was not limited to a single bone; upon further excavation, he unveiled a 70 percent complete titanosaur skeleton. Most of the bones remained connected, enhancing the scientific significance of the discovery. Working alongside a local archaeological team from the Archaeological and Paleontological Cultural Association (ACAP) at the Cruzy Museum, Boschetto devoted the next two years to excavating the site secretly. Throughout this process, loyal Muffin stood guard over the land and fossils, diligently lending her efforts to the project.
The excavation was no easy feat as the titanosaur skeleton was buried within a layer of hard-packed sandstone. It took immense care and time to extract it without causing any damage. Although the skull and a femur remain missing, Boschetto and his team hold hope that future excavations will uncover these missing pieces, shedding further light on this incredible find.
During the late Cretaceous era—70 million years ago, to be precise—a diverse range of titanosaurs roamed the Earth, with numerous species and subspecies specifically in Europe. These herbivorous dinosaurs possessed immense bodies and remarkably long necks that enabled them to reach the leaves of towering trees. Boschetto estimates that the skeleton he discovered belonged to a smaller titanosaur, measuring about 30 feet in length.
When the meticulous work on the skeleton concludes, it will be prominently displayed at the Cruzy Museum, a small local institution where Boschetto has been volunteering for several years. Francis Fages, the museum’s director, expressed his appreciation for the young paleontologist’s contributions to their collections and highlighted the scientific value of such discoveries in understanding the late Cretaceous species and ecosystems of France and Europe.
Boschetto’s passion for paleontology has led him to make some significant life choices. In September, he left his job in the energy sector and applied to the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris, where he hopes to obtain a master’s degree in paleontology. He aspires to promote his work and further immerse himself in scientific research within this field of study.
Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain—Boschetto will continue including his faithful furry companion, Muffin, on his future fossil-finding expeditions. With each new discovery, they strengthen their bond and contribute to the fascinating world of paleontology.