Dinosaur fossils in Italy
The Paleobiology Database records 93 non-avian dinosaur finds in Italy, from 3 genera. The oldest is Saltriovenator zanellai from the Early Sinemurian age, about 199.5 million years old. The youngest is Tethyshadros insularis from the Early Campanian age, as young as about 72.2 million years. Ages are the range the database gives for the rocks, so a find can be tens of millions of years across.
- 93finds
- 3genera
- 199.5oldest, million years ago
- 72.2youngest, million years ago
It ranks 30th of 93 countries on the map by number of finds. The most recorded dinosaurs are Saltriovenator (1), Scipionyx (1) and Tethyshadros (1). The rock formation with the most finds is called Monte Zugna, with 21.
Which dinosaurs were found in Italy?
The genera with the most finds here:
| Dinosaur | Finds |
|---|---|
| Saltriovenator | 1 |
| Scipionyx | 1 |
| Tethyshadros | 1 |
Rock formations with dinosaur finds in Italy
| Formation | Finds |
|---|---|
| Monte Zugna | 21 |
| Dolomia Principale | 19 |
| Calcare di Bari | 7 |
| Rotzo | 5 |
| Calcare di Cellina | 3 |
| Sannicandro | 3 |
| Aurisina | 2 |
| Loppio Oolitic Limestone | 2 |
| Quarziti di Monte Serra | 2 |
| San Giovanni Rotondo | 2 |
Other countries to explore
See the sea floor where marine reptiles swam: oceanfloormap.com →
Before you go fossil hunting. A dot shows where a find was recorded, not where you may dig. Many fossil sites are on private or protected land and collecting rules differ by country. Check the rules before collecting and never dig on protected sites.