When and Where Was Nigersaurus Discovered?

Nigersaurus was first discovered in the Republic of Niger, West Africa. Fossil remains were initially found in the Gadoufaoua region of the Sahara Desert in the 1970s by French paleontologist Philippe Taquet.

However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the species gained worldwide attention, when Dr. Paul Sereno and his team from the University of Chicago conducted further excavations. They uncovered a nearly complete skull, which revealed the dinosaur’s remarkable dental and skeletal features.

Discovery timeline:

• 1976: First fossils identified by Philippe Taquet.
• 1999–2000: Rediscovery and detailed study by Paul Sereno’s team.
• 2005: Official scientific description published as Nigersaurus taqueti.

The fossils were found in Elrhaz Formation of Niger, an area famous for Cretaceous dinosaur remains.