Did Dinosaurs Follow Humans Out of Africa? A Groundbreaking Theory
The origins of dinosaurs have long fascinated scientists and the public, but a new study suggests we’ve been looking in the wrong places. Research published in Current Biology points to the hot, dry lowlands of ancient Gondwana—regions now known as the Amazon rainforest, Congo basin, and Sahara Desert—as the birthplace of dinosaurs, rather than the temperate areas previously believed.
The oldest dinosaur fossils, dating back 230 million years, already show evolutionary diversity, implying dinosaurs existed for millions of years before appearing in places like Argentina and Zimbabwe. Advanced models now suggest their earliest ancestors thrived in the extreme heat of Gondwana’s lowlands, an environment similar to modern deserts and savannas.
Early dinosaurs were small, agile creatures—about the size of a chicken or medium dog—surviving as hunters or scavengers. For millions of years, they were just one of many reptile groups until the end-Triassic mass extinction, 201 million years ago, wiped out competitors. This event allowed dinosaurs to dominate for the next 135 million years.
The Amazon and Sahara remain largely unexplored for fossils, but future expeditions could uncover the missing evidence to complete the story of dinosaur origins. Understanding their evolution not only sheds light on their ancient world but also offers insight into the history of life on Earth.