by InTrieste
This November, Italy marks an extraordinary anniversary in paleontology: 40 years since the discovery of its only dinosaur fossil site, located at Villaggio del Pescatore, near Trieste. The site, which remains the only one of its kind in the country, is home to two remarkably well-preserved dinosaur skeletons — Antonio, the most complete dinosaur found in Italy, and Bruno, another rare and almost entirely intact specimen. The public can look forward to two days of commemorative events on November 8-9, organized by Trieste’s Museum of Natural History, bringing together experts, scientists, and the original discoverers of these fossils.
In a press conference on October 29, Trieste’s Cultural Councillor Giorgio Rossi, conservationist Deborah Arbulla, Duino Aurisina’s Mayor Igor Gabrovec, and representatives from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Archaeology and Fine Arts Office gathered at the Museum of Oriental Art to announce the upcoming festivities. Arbulla, the museum’s scientific curator, emphasized that the Villaggio del Pescatore site remains “unique in Italy” due to its completeness and scientific significance, housing fossils not only of dinosaurs but also of crocodiles, fish, and other Cretaceous-era organisms. “We want to ensure this one-of-a-kind site receives the recognition and celebration it deserves,” Arbulla remarked.
The celebration comes at a critical juncture for paleontology in Italy, as scientists push to raise awareness of the country’s prehistoric heritage. Originally discovered in 1984 by mineralogy enthusiasts Alceo Tarlao and Giorgio Rimoli, Villaggio del Pescatore was a hidden treasure, its significance initially underappreciated. After locating the fossilized bones in a vegetated area, Tarlao and Rimoli delayed reporting their find until 1990, when they presented the fossils to Sergio Dolce, then-director of Trieste’s Museum of Natural History. This led to formal excavations and a series of significant findings, including Antonio and Bruno, both of which belong to the species Tethyshadros insularis. Antonio is 90 percent intact — one of the world’s most complete dinosaur skeletons, still in near-original articulation.
“Our two dinosaurs may not be giants, but they are truly exceptional,” Rossi said. “To find skeletons this complete, especially in Italy, is incredibly rare, and the world’s attention is increasingly on these specimens.”
The two-day event, titled Dinosaurs of the Karst: 40 Years of Research at Villaggio del Pescatore, will include guided tours, scientific discussions, and a roundtable featuring key figures in Italian paleontology. Events will be held at the Trieste Museum of Natural History on November 8, where attendees can participate in expert-led tours and discussions with scientists from the University of Trieste, the University of Bologna, and CNR-ISMAR (the Institute of Marine Sciences). A highlight will be a lecture by Federico Fanti and Marco Muscioni from the University of Bologna on the “macro and microcosms” of Villaggio del Pescatore.
On November 9, activities move to the fossil site itself, with special guided tours led by museum staff and other experts. Schoolchildren will have the chance to join creative workshops under the theme “The Stone Dinosaur,” while visiting families can explore the site, which will be open thanks to the support of its owner, Mario Sartori, who has long advocated for making the site accessible.
The significance of Villaggio del Pescatore, according to the experts, lies not only in its well-preserved fossils but in the diversity of organisms represented, including crocodiles, pterosaurs, crustaceans, and plant material. Together, these specimens provide scientists with a unique window into an ancient ecosystem from the late Cretaceous period. For researchers, Villaggio del Pescatore is not only a site of Italian national importance but also a location of global scientific interest.
Beyond the scientific value, this anniversary emphasizes the collaborative efforts behind preserving Italy’s prehistoric past. In 1998, a formal agreement established ongoing cooperation between Trieste’s Museum of Natural History, the University of Trieste, and regional heritage authorities, who work to manage and showcase the paleontological findings.
Trieste’s cultural and scientific community hopes that this landmark celebration will enhance awareness and support for the site, paving the way for a bright future. “We’re proud to host these two extraordinary fossils,” said Rossi, who envisions the museum expanding into a larger cultural hub at Trieste’s Museum of the Sea, highlighting the city’s maritime and paleontological heritage.
The 40th-anniversary celebration is open to the public, with all activities free of charge. Visitors can experience a rare piece of Italian history, participate in the guided tours, and hear the stories of those who played a role in discovering and preserving this remarkable site. As Rossi said, “This is an opportunity for everyone to share in Italy’s prehistoric past, not just as a scientific achievement but as a cultural treasure.”
