The first studies of dinosaur eggs in China were conducted
in the mid 1950's. These round stones were found in many provinces
across China but, at that time, few cared much about their scientific
importance and no one understood their commercial value. For
decades farmers used the precious round eggs as building stones
for garden terraces and homes.
Dinosaur eggs in Henan were first reported in mid-1970
by paleontologists of No. 12 Geological Division of Henan and
the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology Paleoanthropology of
Academia Sinica. At that time, few complete eggs were visible
on the surface because most were lost to weathering and surface
collection for construction projects.
It is regrettable that few studies were conducted
and little was published about the site. Some twenty years after
the first discovery, so little was known that one very well known
Chinese scientist thought reports of discoveries of thousands
of eggs must be impossible. In his words, "The report is
a hoax. Dinosaur eggs are so rare and valuable. How could they
been counted in thousands?" To his great surprise the reports
were true. Some people called it the seventh wonder of the world.
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