Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Site

Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Site

The Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Site is a cultural relic protection unit of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Cluster Site is located 1 kilometer south of Ciyipu Coal Mine in Ningdong Town, approximately 70 kilometers southeast of Yinchuan City. From April 2005 to November 2006, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Lingwu Cultural Relics Management Office conducted four excavations, cleared three excavation surfaces, and unearthed fossils from eight dinosaur individuals. The Lingwu dinosaur fossils were identified by the internationally renowned dinosaur expert Xu Xing as belonging to a rare branch of sauropods—Dicraeosauridae. These Lingwu dinosaurs were large, new sauropod herbivores from the Middle Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era, dating back about 160 million years. This discovery marks the first finding of a diplodocid dinosaur north of the equator, earning it the title “the first dinosaur of the Northern Hemisphere,” and classifying it as a national treasure-level dinosaur fossil.

These were large, new sauropod herbivores from the Middle Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era, dating back about 160 million years. This discovery marks the first finding of a diplodocid dinosaur north of the equator, earning it the title “the first dinosaur of the Northern Hemisphere,” and classifying it as a national treasure-level dinosaur fossil.

Based on the currently excavated dinosaur fossils, the Lingwu dinosaurs are among the largest known sauropod species in China, with some measurements surpassing all previously known specimens. The Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Cluster is the largest, most concentrated, and best-preserved dinosaur fossil site discovered in China to date, with its surrounding environment remaining undisturbed. It holds significant importance for the study of sauropod dinosaur morphology, taxonomy, and systematic evolution. The Lingwu dinosaur fossils also provide valuable physical evidence and critical scientific insights into prehistoric ecological landscapes, the reproduction, migration, and extinction of dinosaur species, as well as the theory of continental drift of Earth’s landmasses.

Currently, the dinosaur fossil site is enclosed and protected within an area of 90,000 square meters. The exhibition hall displays a replicated dinosaur skeleton mount model measuring 22 meters in length and 10 meters in height, along with fossils of dinosaur eggs, wolf fish, Qianlong (a type of aquatic reptile), the skull of a large-lipped rhinoceros, turtles, and other animal fossils. The Lingwu Dinosaur Fossil Cluster Site has been designated by the People's Government of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as a key provincial-level cultural relic protection unit and a regional geological park.

Ningdong Town: Known as the “Number One Town of Ningxia,” Ningdong Town was formerly called Ciyipu Town and is located in the eastern part of Lingwu City. National Highway 307, the Yinchuan–Qinghai Expressway, the Cima Highway, and the Daguy Railway all run through the town, making it a vital economic corridor connecting Ningxia with eastern regions. The town boasts abundant coal resources, with proven coal reserves of 27.3 billion tons, ranking it as one of China’s thirteen major coal bases. As the main site of the “Number One Project”—the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base—Ningdong Town serves as a showcase for Ningxia’s reform, opening up, and economic development. Since the development boom of the Ningdong Base began in 2003, the Maliantai Power Plant... More detailed information about Ningdong Town++