Scientists discover 210-million-year-old dinosaur in Zimbabwe - Jamaica Observer

What the report says

The Jamaica Observer, citing AFP, reported that scientists have identified a new dinosaur species from Zimbabwe that may reshape understanding of how early dinosaurs spread through southern Africa. The species, named Musango matusadonaensis, was described from a skeleton excavated in 2018 along the shores of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. Researchers said the animal lived around 210 million years ago, during the Late Triassic period, when dinosaurs were expanding geographically but had not yet become the dominant land animals.

According to the report, Musango was not a massive long-necked dinosaur like those that appeared later. It was estimated at about 4.5 metres long and 222 kilogrammes, with a relatively light build. The name draws from the Shona word “musango,” meaning “living in the bush.” The fossil includes preserved parts of the spine, ribs, arms, legs and feet, making it one of Zimbabwe’s most complete dinosaur skeletons from that era. Researchers estimated the animal was about eight years old and nearly fully grown, and its bones showed evidence of recovery from a serious injury or infection.

Paul Barrett of the Natural History Museum in London said the discovery challenges earlier assumptions that dinosaurs across southern Africa were broadly similar, instead pointing to multiple ecosystems with different species. The findings were published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

The Observer also noted recent context from Zimbabwe’s fossil record: in 2022, scientists reported Mbiresaurus raathi, described as Africa’s oldest dinosaur at about 230 million years old. Together, the discoveries highlight Zimbabwe’s growing importance for research into early dinosaur evolution.