A group of researchers from the São Paulo State University (Unesp) in Presidente Prudente and Rio Claro (SP) found new fossil fragments at the Prof. Paleontological Site. Pepe, in Girassóis Park. The "discovery" brings traces of animal and plant activities at the site.
The work at the site has been carried out by researchers since the team entered into an agreement between the university and the city hall, signed in August this year. Ercanita Salas Martin, one of the researchers responsible, said that four visits have already been made to the paleontological site. The fragments were found on the most recent trip, also in August this year.
With a degree in Ecology and a post-doctorate in Natural Resources and Agrobiology from the Spanish Research Institute, Encarnita has been a professor at the Prudente campus for almost 40 years, in addition to working in the area of geoconservation and paleontology.
To g1, she says that the team used a tractor with an excavator shovel to remove the layer that covers the fossils, which are embedded in a very hard type of sediment, which, according to her, makes manual removal difficult. This action is called pickling.
“Small fragments of fossils were found, mainly from crocodiles, and also so-called ichnofossils, which are evidence (traces) of animal and plant activities (roots, for example),” he explained.
According to Encarnita, although it was made official just over two months ago, the collaboration and exchange of information between the two institutions had already existed for several years. “The agreement aims to preserve and research archaeological and paleontological sites, assembly, dissemination and execution of teaching and knowledge dissemination activities", he began.
The researcher also explains that the collaboration between the University and the city council would be through the machinery and other equipment necessary for the operational stages of the excavations.
“It is also intended to train human resources, through short courses, lectures and training, in order to make the municipality a reference center in the areas of Archeology and Paleontology.”
Furthermore, the work of Unesp de Prudente is also carried out in partnership with the Rio Claro Campus. The group of researchers, made up of three geographers, two paleontologists, a geologist and an architect, should return to the site in November. Check out the active members below:
Prof. Dr. Encarnita Salas Martin - Unesp de Presidente Prudente - Geographer;
Prof. Dr. Neide Barrocá Faccio - Unesp de Presidente Prudente - Geographer;
Vinícius Vilela Zamberlan - Geographer.
Prof. Dr. Reinaldo José Bertini - Unesp de Rio Claro - Paleontologist;
Prof. Dr. Silvia Regina Gobbo - Unesp de Rio Claro – Paleontologist;
Prof. Dr. Thamine de Almeida Ayoub Ayoub - Unesp de Presidente Prudente – Architect;
Ms. Antonio Agostinho Magioli Barros – Geologist.
The Prof. Paleontological Site Pepe, in Parque dos Girassóis, has been the focus of studies for decades, which resulted in several scientific researches.
Paleontological studies are of great importance, according to Ecarnita, to understand the living beings that inhabited the region in the past and, mainly, to work on so-called Heritage Education. “In other words, work on activities that disseminate knowledge, so that the population can know the importance and value of fossils", he says.
"Fossils are considered national heritage, and knowing them allows you to learn more about the history of life on planet Earth. Presidente Prudente and the region have fossils from around 75 million years ago", reinforces the researcher.
Due to the importance of fossils for scientific historical knowledge, in line with the collections of the Presidente Prudente region, Unesp de Prudente opened, in 2024, the Prof. Paleontology Museum. José Martin Suárez – Pepe, which pays tribute to one of the important names in the area of geography and research, and for the region.
“It has a very rich collection, which is part of the Cultural Circuit and which, together with other laboratories and facilities, receives students, mainly from public schools in Presidente Prudente and the region”, said professor Encarnita.
During visits, students have the opportunity to see fossils of different animals, such as turtles, crocodiles and dinosaurs, as well as plant fossils, such as fossilized wood.
The Professor Pepe Paleontology Museum is open to the public and can be visited from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, by appointment via email at [email protected]. Entry is free. It is located in Núcleo Morumbi, at Avenida Dr. Cyro Bueno, 40.
