This photo taken on Dec. 5, 2022 shows a part of fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Huangzhu Village of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Photo: Xinhua

East China's Fujian Province has unearthed a nest of fossilized eggs and some eggshell fragments. The eggs belonged to the notorious egg thief dinosaur species, Oviraptorosaur, in the Late Cretaceous.

Discovered in Huangzhu Village, Shanghang County, Longyan City, the dinosaur eggs are thought to either be in the incubation stage or have already hatched. Some eggshells cracked from hatching, leaving fragments, according to Wang Qiang, associate researcher from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

At least six egg fossils have been preserved. This new discovery can help provide valuable materials for the study of palaeoclimatology, palaeogeography, palaeoecology in Fujian and southern China, said Fujian Institute of Geological Survey.

About three years ago, the county uncovered some well-preserved dinosaur footprints. This is the first time for the county to discover dinosaur egg fossils.

This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2022 shows a researcher working on a part of fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Huangzhu Village of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Photo: Xinhua

 

This photo taken on Dec. 5, 2022 shows a part of fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Huangzhu Village of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Photo: Xinhua

 

This photo taken on Nov. 24, 2022 shows a researcher working on a part of fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Huangzhu Village of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Photo: Xinhua

 

This photo taken on May 8, 2023 shows a part of fossilized dinosaur eggs discovered in Huangzhu Village of Shanghang County, Longyan City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Photo: Xinhua