FASCINATION WITH DINOSAUR FOSSILS ROARS TO LIFE IN HONG KONG

Landmark find of prehistoric remains sparks interest of public, hopes of academia

One day late in December, an excited group of young students crowded into the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in the city's Tsim Sha Tsui district. Chatter filled the air as their curious young eyes followed the movements of scientists working behind a glass enclosure.

The scientists were using specialized instruments to meticulously examine stones containing the remnants of a dinosaur from the ancient Cretaceous period, about 145 million to 66 million years ago.

The children peered at the intricate skeletal imprints etched into the rocks, as if the large dinosaur had journeyed through the eons to meet, or terrify, them.