China is a nation abundant in fossils
of dinosaur eggs in the world. There are 14 provinces where fossils of dinosaur
eggs have been discovered, in which those found in Nanyang of Henan Province
have the greatest influence on geologic research worldwide.
Nanyang is one of the earliest
regions where dinosaur egg fossils were found in China. As early as the 1920s,
some strange stones were found by local peasants, who call these stones "stone
gallbladder", "stone eggs", "stone pills" or "stone balls". The Nanyang
oryctocoenose of dinosaur eggs is characterized by large in distribution area
and concentrated in buried storage. By far, thousands of pieces of fossilized
eggs have been found. It is estimated that the whole reserve can exceed tens of
thousands, which is rare all over the world. The size of fossils varies from
small as hen eggs to large as rice bowls. They are mainly oblate and sometimes
in the shape of rugby football. These dinosaur egg fossils are also preserved in
perfect condition, without suffering from damage and destruction in later period
of the whole evolution process. Except for some dents on the surface due to
extrusion pressure of terrain exerted on few eggshells, most egg fossils are
kept as integral as original, which is really unparalleled in the world.
The discovery of abundant oryctocoenoses
of dinosaur eggs, reputed as "of epoch-making significance" and the "ninth
wonder in the world", provides extremely precious materials for geologic
research. Specialists, scholars and tourists, far and wide, home and abroad,
come in endless streams for appreciation and exploration. The Nanyang fossils of
dinosaur eggs have been on show in many large cities both at home and
abroad.