Re-Opening of the Bernissart Iguanodon Crime Scene

COLD CASE addresses a fundamental, but often neglected, topic in paleobiology: taphonomy, or the study of processes of the transition of remains, parts, or products of organisms, from the biosphere, to the lithosphere; i.e. the creation of fossil assemblages (Efremov, 1940). The ultimate goal of this project is to propose a scenario explaining the exceptional accumuluation of complete dinosaur carcasses within the Iguanodon Sinkhole at Bernissart. This scenario must fit the taphonomic elements highlighted during the course of this project and also the geological and environmental specificities of the so-called Lower Cretaceous Bernissart Palaeolake. Because taphonomy is, by essence, trans-disciplinary, it is expected to produce a wide variety of scientific results, particularly about:
- Recontruction of the Bernisaart excavations
- Palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Mons Basin by Early Cretaceous time
- Growth and palaeobiology of the Early Cretaceous iguanodontid dinosaurs
- Biodiversity and evolution of Early Cretaceous fresh-water ichthyofaunas