December 31, 2008	Wednesday	Muharram 02,1430

BEIJING, Dec 30: Palaeontologists in east China have dug up what they believe is one of the world’s largest group of fossilised dinosaur bones, including the remains of an enormous “platypus,” state press said on Tuesday.

Paleontologists have discovered 15 areas near Zhucheng city in Shandong province that contain thousands of dinosaur bones, the Beijing News reported.

“This group of fossilised dinosaurs is currently the largest ever discovered in the world... in terms of area,” the paper cited palaeontologist Zhao Xijin of the China Academy of Sciences as saying.

In one area measuring 300 metres by 10 metres, more than 3,000 bones were found, the report said. Since digging began in March scientists have discovered more than 7,600 bones.

Included in the find was the largest “platypus” — or “duck-billed dinosaur” in Chinese — ever discovered measuring nine metres high with a wingspan wider than 16 metres, the report said.—AFP