French Customs Uncover Ancient Teeth in Routine Inspection

In an unexpected find during a customs inspection near Italy, French officers seized nine dinosaur teeth believed to date back 66 million years, highlighting the importance of regulations around the fossil trade.

French customs officers made a remarkable discovery when they uncovered nine dinosaur teeth during a routine inspection of a Spanish lorry on the A8 motorway near the Italian border. The incident occurred on January 28, and upon examining the parcels, customs officials sent the items for evaluation to a prehistory museum in Menton.

Expert analysis revealed that the teeth originated from reptiles that roamed during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, specifically from Morocco. Among the finds were teeth belonging to a Zarafasaura oceanis, a marine reptile that grew to about three meters (10 feet) long, as well as three teeth from the Mosasaurus, a massive aquatic reptile that could reach lengths of up to 12 meters.

The customs inspections on the A8 motorway are a common practice, as lorries are frequently stopped to check for illegal goods, including drugs. However, this recent seizure of prehistoric teeth was an unusual and exciting result. Samantha Verduron, a customs officer, remarked on the unexpected nature of the find.

Additionally, five other teeth are suspected to belong to a Dyrosaurus phosphaticus, an ancient relative of modern crocodiles. The lorry driver indicated that he was on his way to deliver the parcels to recipients in Genoa and Milan. French authorities are actively investigating to identify the intended recipients of the fossilized teeth.

While collecting fossils is legal, the exportation of such items often requires specific permits, underscoring the need for regulation in the fossil trade to protect valuable scientific discoveries. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to monitor and preserve the remnants of our planet's ancient past.