Witness History Discovering the largest dinosaur ever
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Nov 7, 2025 Dr. Diego Pol, a palaeontologist and lead excavator of the Patagotitan, shares the astonishing story of the largest dinosaur ever discovered. He recounts how a shepherd stumbled upon a massive bone in Patagonia, prompting a thrilling excavation that revealed over 150 bones from six enormous titanosaur skeletons. Pol discusses the challenges of organizing a large-scale dig and the excitement surrounding the discovery, estimated to be a staggering 40 meters long and weighing 77 tonnes. He also reflects on the media frenzy and the dinosaur's official naming in honor of the region's landowners.
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Shepherd's Chance Discovery
- Shepherd Aurelio Hernandez found a gigantic bone while looking for a lost sheep in Patagonia in 2012.
- That single discovery led Dr Diego Pol's team to excavate 150 bones from six titanosaurs over 18 months on the Mayo family ranch.
Completing The Body Plan
- The team recovered about 70% of the Patagotitan skeleton, allowing a complete reconstruction of its body plan.
- This contrasts with earlier finds like Argentinosaurus, known from only a few bones, making Patagotitan uniquely informative.
Media Frenzy After Announcement
- The 2014 announcement overwhelmed the small museum team with media requests, radio and TV interviews.
- A photo of Dr Diego Pol lying beside the femur circulated worldwide and highlighted how tiny humans feel next to such bones.