[Explanation] As one of the most famous Chinese dinosaurs in the world, the restored Hechuan Mamenxisaurus fossil skeleton collected in the Chengdu University of Technology Museum is about 24 meters long and 3.5 meters high at the shoulder.
In 2021, the Chengdu University of Technology Museum conducted a "physical examination" of the Hechuan Mamenxisaurus fossil, and opened an overhaul for the "treasures of the town hall" such as fractured bones, corrosion of steel brackets, and "diseases" such as inaccurate postures. .
Ouyang Hui, a professor at Chengdu University of Technology and an expert in paleontology and stratigraphy, said that whenever people enter the dinosaur exhibition, a "dialogue" between the modern earth master and the ancient earth overlord begins.
[Concurrent] Ouyang Hui, expert in paleontology and stratigraphy of Chengdu University of Technology
Paleontological fossils, including dinosaur fossils, of course, are the evidence that we know and understand ancient life, protect them, know them, study them, so that we can better understand ancient life (and) ancient biological diversity, and these creatures What kind of evolutionary relationship is there between human beings to understand the origin and evolution of life, as well as the interpretation of the relevance of the habitable earth brought by these organisms and the environment they adapt to and live in, provide scientific material.
[Explanation] Different from the "quiet time" that uses embroidery to restore cultural relics, the dinosaur fossil restoration site looks rough and full.
Before entering the repair center, the roar of the machine was first heard.
In the dusty room, some fossil restorers carefully "cut out" the remaining surrounding rock on the dinosaur fossil bones with pneumatic polishing pens. Drill press to make holes in the steel beams that have been marked in preparation for fixing the fossilized bones.
[Explanation] The overhaul of Hechuan Mamenxilong this time, in addition to increasing the number of tail vertebrae for Hechuan Mamenxilong according to the discovery of new fossil specimens, also adjusted the posture.
Professor Ouyang Hui said that when he was sorting out the fossil materials of Mamenchiosaurus in the past, he found that there were several cervical ribs passing through one cervical vertebra of Mamenchiosaurus. The cervical ribs of at least two or three cervical vertebrae located in front of it also extend together. This state of preservation indicates that the cervical ribs extend parallel to the cervical vertebrae, which strengthens the long neck and restricts the movement of the neck. The range cannot be freely bent, otherwise, the long neck ribs may pierce its neck, and this situation is tantamount to suicide, and the consequences are unimaginable.
Therefore, it is possible that the correct neck posture of Hechuan Mamenxilong is to stick out obliquely at a low and gentle angle.
[Concurrent] Ouyang Hui, expert in paleontology and stratigraphy of Chengdu University of Technology
In the past, if I looked at the impression of Mamenxilong Hechuan, I felt that it was out of balance before and after, because its neck was too long, and its body seemed to be leaning forward, so this time we erected its shoulder blades, so that its back The back is tilted backwards, which is a new understanding of sauropod research, including its mechanical structure.
Hechuan Mamenchisaurus is still the largest of the complete dinosaurs in Asia.
Reported by reporter Lv Yang in Chengdu
Responsible editor: [Ji Xiang]