THE discovery of 100-million-year-old fossilised bones of an ichthyosaur – an extinct dolphin-like marine reptile that once swam through Australia’s ancient inland sea – has been lauded as a once-in-lifetime find.
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The amazing find, nicknamed Wilson, which includes a massive 1metre-long skull with 6-centimetre long teeth, debuted on display yesterday at Kronosaurus Korner at Richmond.
Kronosaurus Korner interpretation manager and curator Timothy Holland said the finding was a landmark for the region.
“I have never seen tourists uncover such a beautifully preserved fossil before,” Dr Holland said.
“It is easily the most complete ichthyosaur skull in our collection and one of the best from Australia.”
Wilson was discovered by the Wilson family from Wiseleigh, Victoria, who visited Richmond in July 2014 to search the local free fossil hunting sites.
Seven-year-old Amber Wilson initially uncovered a large hockey puck-shaped vertebra hidden among a pile of rocks.
Parents Tony and Lisa and brother Darcy helped discover part of the skull shortly afterwards.
“Money couldn’t buy the incredible experience our family got from finding this fossil,” Tony Wilson said.
The Wilsons contacted staff and volunteers at Kronosaurus Korner to help unearth the ichthyosaur.
Large crowds gathered around the site to witness the excavation process unfold.
“When I removed the surrounding rock and saw that the snout was complete to the very tip, it took my breath away,” Kronosaurus Korner volunteer Gary Flewelling said.
Dr Holland said: “I was completely stunned. A professional palaeontologist might search their entire career to find a fossil of this quality. It only took the Wilson family a few hours.”
A protective coating of plaster, newspaper and hessian was applied to the bones before Wilson was hoisted out of the ground.
Nine people were required to lift the estimated 400-kilogram specimen.
Once within the lab at Kronosaurus Korner, additional rock was removed from Wilson’s bones using dentist tools and toothbrushes for four months.
“When there is a specimen as good as Wilson to work on in the lab, each day is Christmas,” said Mr Flewelling.
The bones of Wilson belong to the ichthyosaur Platypterygius australis.
This seven-metre marine reptile propelled itself underwater with its powerful tail and changed direction using four broad flippers.
The fossilised stomach contents of some Platypterygius specimens include the bones of fish, turtles and birds.
Platypterygius lived 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period; at a time when dinosaurs still ruled on land.
Kronosaurus Korner is Australia’s premier marine fossil museum, showcasing more than 1000 fossils of creatures that once inhabited Australia’s ancient inland sea and offers fascinating displays, guided tours, education packages and a variety of fossil hunting adventures.
