Saturnalia

Saturnalia is among the oldest known dinosaurs, discovered in Carnian-aged beds of the Santa Maria Formation in southern Brazil. 5 metres in length. Saturnalia occupied an evolutionary position near the very base of the sauropodomorph branch, yet it looked remarkably unlike the colossal quadrupeds that would evolve later. It possessed gracile hindlimbs built for running, long grasping hands, and a relatively small head. Braincase studies indicate it had keen eyesight and agile head movements, supporting the view that it was an active omnivore feeding on insects, small reptiles, and plants.

Named because its discovery occurred during the festive carnival season in Brazil.

Where and when

Saturnalia lived in the Late Triassic, from 233 to 228 million years ago (Carnian age). Its remains come from Brazil, in the Santa Maria Formation.

The numbers

Length 1.5 m (estimates run from 1.4 to 1.6 m). Mass about 7.1 kg. Hip height about 0.5 m. That is 0.9 human-lengths, or 0.13 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.

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