In a groundbreaking discovery, Argentinian scientists have unearthed the fossilized remains of one of the world’s oldest dinosaur species in the Andes Mountains. The find, announced by the CONICET research agency, includes a nearly complete skeleton of a small long-necked reptile named Huayracursor Jaguensis. The fossil was discovered at an altitude of 3,000 meters in Argentina’s northwest region. The team recovered part of the dinosaur’s skull, a complete vertebral column extending to the tail, and nearly intact forelimbs and hindlimbs. Published in the prestigious journal Nature, the discovery is expected to provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. Agustin Martinelli, one of the study’s authors, estimates that the Huayracursor roamed the Earth between 230 and 225 million years ago, placing it at the end of the Triassic period. This era marked the emergence of the first dinosaurs and the ancestors of mammals. Despite belonging to a lineage of herbivorous dinosaurs that later evolved into long-necked giants, the Huayracursor Jaguensis was relatively small, measuring about two meters in length and weighing approximately 18 kilograms. The discovery underscores the significance of the Triassic period in the evolution of life on Earth and highlights Argentina’s rich paleontological heritage.