Rocks
deposited during the latest part of the Cretaceous
period (75 to 65 million years go) yield abundant bones
and eggs of dinosaurs. Bones and nests are being
discovered in the soft Cretaceous soil to the west of the
town.
Large scale palaeontological excavations have been carried out in the vicinity since 1989. In 1992, this scientific research resulted in the establishment at Espéraza of the first museum solely dedicated to dinosaurs in Europe. It is located in the old railway station at Espéraza and displays 35 different species.
A
palaeontology workshop initiates children (6-12 years olds)
into archaeological digging and skeleton reconstruction. 5
minutes away, near Campagne, the largest archaeological
digging area in Europe is open to the public for guided
tours. Volunteer excavators are also welcome.
Eva,
an Ampelosaurus specimen, the most complete dinosaur skeleton
ever found in France and was discovered in deposits around
72 million years old at Campagne-sur-Aude, close to the
Dinosaur Museum in Espéraza. The animal is estimated be
around 12 meters long, 2.5 meters tall and weighing 10-15
metric tons. It appears to be juvenile, as some adult bones
found in the area are about twice as large. The specimen
was discovered in August 2001 by Eva Morvan, a geology student
who provided the nickname "Eva". The find was a major media
event in France, and made the national newspapers in the
UK.
Getting there. Espéraza lies on the D118,
south of Carcassonne
and Limoux
and sixty kilometers west of Perpignan.
Excavations at the Bellevue site are carried out during July and August by volunteers.
Back
to Palaeontology.
