Event
Scientists have identified a new species of sauropod dinosaur, named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, following an excavation in Thailand. The herbivore, which lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, is the largest dinosaur known from Southeast Asia, measuring 27 metres in length and weighing approximately 27 tonnes. The study, published in Scientific Reports, notes that the remains were unearthed a decade ago but fully excavated in 2024. The dinosaur is considered the region's last "titan" as sauropods disappeared from the area when it became a shallow sea. A life-size reconstruction is displayed at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum.
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The 27-metre herbivore, unearthed in northeast Thailand and fully excavated in 2024, has been formally classified as a new species following analysis published in *Scientific Reports*.
Background
Scientists have formally identified *Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*, a new species of sauropod dinosaur discovered in Thailand, marking the largest dinosaur species known from Southeast Asia. The herbivore, which lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, measured 27 metres in length and weighed approximately 27 tonnes. Although the remains were initially unearthed by locals a decade ago, the full excavation was completed in 2024, with the findings published in *Scientific Reports*. The species is described as the region's last "titan," as sauropods disappeared from the area when it transformed into a shallow sea. A life-size reconstruction is currently on display at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum.
Scientists have formally identified *Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*, a new species of sauropod dinosaur discovered in Thailand, marking the largest dinosaur species known from Southeast Asia. The herbivore, which lived between 100 and 120 million years ago, measured 27 metres in leng
Fact cards
Key entities: Thailand, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, Scientific Reports, Thainosaur Museum, University College London.
What is the scientific name of the newly identified dinosaur? *Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*. How large was the dinosaur? It measured 27 metres in length and weighed approximately 27 tonnes. Why is it referred to as the region's last "titan"? Sauropods disappeared from the area when
Approximately 100–120 million years ago: *Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis* lived in the region before sauropods disappeared as the area became a shallow sea. Approximately 2014: Local residents initially unearthed the dinosaur remains in northeast Thailand. 2024: The remains were fully
Timeline
*Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis* lived in the region before sauropods disappeared as the area became a shallow sea.
Local residents initially unearthed the dinosaur remains in northeast Thailand.
The remains were fully excavated.
The study detailing the identification was published in the journal *Scientific Reports*.
A life-size reconstruction of the dinosaur is displayed at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum.
FAQ
*Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*.
It measured 27 metres in length and weighed approximately 27 tonnes.
Sauropods disappeared from the area when it became a shallow sea, making this the final known species of its kind in the region.
A life-size reconstruction is displayed at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum.
The name references the Naga, a serpent-like being prominent in Thai religious traditions and temple depictions.
*Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis*.
In the Chaiyaphum province of Thailand.
Between 100 and 120 million years ago.
Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a PhD student at University College London.