Is the history of life relevant today? Scientists in Zimbabwe have found the bones of a very old dinosaur with sharp teeth. Is it important to learn about things that happened so long ago?
Africa's oldest dinosaur skeleton discovered
Is the history of life relevant today? Scientists in Zimbabwe have found the bones of a very old dinosaur with sharp teeth. Is it important to learn about things that happened so long ago?
What's happening?
Chris Griffin was very happy. He had just dug up a huge bone from the ground in ZimbabweFormerly known as Rhodesia, it took its current name in 1980.. The scientist knew at once he "was holding Africa's oldest dinosaur".
The bone belonged to a dinosaur called the Mbiresaurus raathi. It was the size of a dog and ate plants. It ran on two legs, had a very long neck and sharp teeth. It lived 230 million years ago.
Dinosaurs lived on the planet for millions of years ago. Some were small, like the dinosaur found in Zimbabwe. But others were very big. Some ate plants and others ate meat. But around 187 million years ago, they died out.
Humans did not appear until millions of years later. Around 60,000 years ago, humans started using tools. Now, we build cities and have even walked on the Moon.
Find out more
Is the history of life relevantSomething is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about. today?
Yes! Many animals that once lived are now dead. If we want to live for a long time, we must learn from history.
No! It is a waste of time and money to dig up the past. We should be worrying about our future.
Keywords
Zimbabwe - Formerly known as Rhodesia, it took its current name in 1980.
Relevant - Something is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about.
Africa’s oldest dinosaur skeleton discovered
Glossary
Zimbabwe - Formerly known as Rhodesia, it took its current name in 1980.
Relevant - Something is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about.