Ancient Dinosaur Egg Shines with Crystals, Not Embryo, in Rare China Find

• A 70-million-year-old grapefruit-sized dinosaur egg, discovered in eastern China's Upper Cretaceous Chishan Formation, was found filled with glittering calcite crystals instead of an embryo.
• Identified as a new oospecies, Shixingoolithus qianshanensis, by palaeontologist Qing He of Anhui University, this "dinosaur geode" is a rare find for the Chishan Formation.
• The crystals formed after the embryo decayed, with groundwater seeping into the egg and depositing dissolved minerals over time, offering insights into ancient environmental conditions.
• Scientists confirmed the egg's dinosaur origin by analyzing its shell microstructure, distinguishing it from bird or modern reptile eggs.
• These crystal-filled eggs provide valuable data on groundwater chemistry and fossil bed conditions, aiding in reconstructing ancient landscapes and even dating fossils.

Why It Matters: Rare 70-million-year-old dinosaur egg filled with crystals offers unique insights into ancient Earth.