The remains of Patagotitan mayorum, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, were unearthed by chance on a ranch in Patagonia, Argentina. Scientists quickly recognized the magnitude of the find
A team from the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, led by José Luis Carballido and Diego Pol, excavated over 130 fossilized bones from multiple individuals—revealing an enormous sauropod species
The titanosaur species was named Patagotitan mayorum in 2017, honoring both its Patagonian origins and the Mayo family, on whose land the fossils were discovered
Estimated at around 70 tons and over 35 meters long, Patagotitan mayorum is longer than a blue whale and stands among the heaviest land animals ever known
Excavated bones were 3D-scanned in the field, then digitally processed and reproduced in fiberglass—leading to an accurate and transportable cast skeleton. American Museum of Natural History
The cast, nicknamed “Máximo,” spans 122 feet across and rises 28 feet tall, dominating the Field Museum’s Stanley Field Hall as a centerpiece exhibit
As a remarkably complete specimen, Patagotitan mayorum offers crucial insights into sauropod biology, biomechanics, and the limits of dinosaurian size
This discovery pushes the boundaries of paleontology, showcasing advances in excavation, digital replication, and our evolving understanding of Earth’s gigantic past inhabitants