Dashanpu-Dinosaurierfundstelle
The Shaximiao Formation (Also known as the Xiashaximiao Formation) is a Middle Jurassic rock formation in China, most notable for the wealth of dinosaurs that have been excavated from the area. The Shaximiao Formation includes two layers of rock, the lower and upper Shaximiao Formations, although they are commonly intertwined as one. Although it is only a section of other rock layer formations in the area, the Shaximiao Formation is the most productive. The other layers are the Zhenchuchong Formation and Ziliujung Formations. The formation sits in and around the small township of Dashanpu, which in turn is situated 7 kilometres from Sichuan's third largest city, Zigong. The Shaximiao Formation has produced mainly sauropods, but has also held numerous other dinosaur types, such as theropods and stegosaurians amongst others. The site was unknown until the early 1980s, when a Chinese gas company unearthed Gasosaurus, the first of the many dinosaurs to be uncovered from the area. Most specimens found are currently held at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum near the area.
Despite being a frequented "dinosaur-quarry" at present, the Shaximiao Formation was once a lush forest, evidence of which has been found alongside dinosaur remains in the form of fossilised wood. Paleontologist have dated the formation at about 168 to 161 million years old, between the Bathonian to Callovian stages of the Mid Jurassic.
Sample of dinosaurs from the formation
A number of dinosaurs have been uncovered from the Shaximiao Formation: Abrosaurus, Agilisaurus, Chuandongocoelurus, Dashanpusaurus, Datousaurus, Gasosaurus, Hexinlusaurus, Huayangosaurus, Omeisaurus, Protognathus, Shunosaurus, Tuojiangosaurus, Xiaosaurus and Xuanhanosaurus.