GPS Coordinates: N33 11.107 E10 15.380
Governorate:
Delegation:
Site Highlights
- Location of the first excavation
- Richness and diversity
- Dinosaurs
- Pterosaurs
- Crocodiles
- Sharks
- Fish
- Turtles
Access Route: This site is on the Ghomrassen-Beni Kheddache road near the village of Oued el Khil, at Gasr Khrechfa. After 500 meters, turn left onto a track leading to the sand quarry that covers the bone bed.
Site Description: Dinosaur remains are exposed by artisanal sand mining halfway up the cliff of a small jebel opposite Biar Oued el Khil village. They correspond to a driftwood level rich in theropod and sauropod dinosaur bones mixed with fish, crocodile, and turtle remains. This "bone bed" level sits above an indurated bench at the base of the Chenini sandstone. Due to its dark brown color and hard lithology, it is easily identifiable in the landscape.
This deposit has yielded fragments of turtle shells, plesiosaur vertebrae, several crocodile osteoderms and teeth, pterosaur teeth, and fish remains (Lungfish and Shark teeth).
Regarding dinosaurs, many well-preserved teeth, several caudal, dorsal, and cervical vertebrae of theropods like Carcharodontosaurus and Spinosaurus, as well as teeth of undetermined sauropods and rare iguanodontid teeth, phalanges, claws, and various limb fragments have been collected here.
Spinosaurus teeth
Phalanges and claw
Caudal vertebrae
