Dinosaur Fossils
Triassic and early Jurassic fossils
Sentinel Ranch is rich with fossils that date back to the late Triassic (250-208 million years ago) and early Jurassic Ages (208 -144 million years ago). The landscape of that time was very different – a vast trans-continental desert with huge sand dunes that extended over the entire region, networked by low-lying valleys and small rivers that flooded periodically, sometimes in raging torrents as the Limpopo River does today.
The late Triassic period
This strange semi-desert landscape was the home of Erythrosuchus africanus, an extremely large, red-toothed archosaur that dates back some 240 million years. A precursor to the dinosaurs and the modern day crocodile, it was extremely large with distinctive serrated teeth that have left a remarkable red stain in the surrounding rock, a few wonderful examples of which have been preserved in a riverbed southwest of the camp.
Dinosaur fossils
Numerous dinosaur fossils have been discovered on Sentinel, including stunning examples of Massospondylus carinatus and, possibly, a very early dinosaur, Euskelosaurus, although palaeontologists are currently reviewing the classification of the so-called “Euskelosaurus” specimens, which may in fact be Sefapanosaurus or Melanorosaurus.
Palaeontologists from the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo have made frequent trips to Sentinel to investigate existing fossils and to record new sites which may merit excavation in the future. In July 2022, a team of top international palaeontologists (USA, South Africa, Switzerland, UK, Zimbabwe) and geologists visited Sentinel to work at a newly discovered site where the fossils of a possibly new species were collected for further study.
We welcome guests who are as fascinated as we are by these extraordinary fossils and are happy to arrange viewings and facilitate research. More information about the various species can be found in our latest news.
“We had a great visit with Tarquin today – he has an abundance of knowledge and is an excellent guide! The fossil site itself is fabulous – what a remarkable specimen! Thanks again!” – JW
Sentinel Limpopo Eco Safaris 