A Swimming Dinosaur Has Recently Been Discovered in Mongolia

By Polly Rosie -

Dinosaur species roamed the planet, reigning over other animals for over 150 million years. Long necks, showstopping hunting skills, and unlikely parental instincts proliferated throughout the Mesozoic Era. While humans have discovered a lot about the life of these creatures, no swimming species have been found up to now. Meet Natovenator polydontus, the world’s first dino that could swim. The discovery was recently made in Mongolia.

A Swimming Dinosaur

Dinosaur species roamed the planet, reigning over other animals for over 150 million years. Long necks, showstopping hunting skills, and unlikely parental instincts proliferated throughout the Mesozoic Era. While humans have discovered a lot about the life of these creatures, no swimming species have been found. Up to now. Meet Natovenator polydontus, the world’s first dino that could swim. The discovery was recently made in Mongolia. Meet the Dinosaur that Could Swim The newly discovered species was recently described in Communications Biology. The dinosaur was not a saurian giant. In fact, it was characterized as about a foot-long creature that lived in prehistoric Mongolia. It lived some 71 million years ago. Stunningly, scientists believe that it may have dived like a duck. Paleontologists have already named some of the species’ cousins, one of whom is the sharp-toothed Velociraptor. The Velociraptor is known to have been a prolific hunter that was also very smart. The newly discovered dinosaur, however, didn’t look much like its cousin. The creature had long jaws full of tiny teeth. The name of the creature, Natovenator polydontus, means “the many-toothed swimming hunter.” Further Paleontological Discoveries on the Species Paleontologists still have a lot of work In order to determine how the creature lived and hunted. Paleontologist Federico Angolin, who’s a member of the Argentine Natural Science Museum, took part in the study. Recently, he commented that there are some indicators that show the dinosaur was probably aquatic. Observing the animal’s teeth, scientists have determined that it probably was adept at snatching small and slippery prey from the water. Furthermore, the animal’s preserved ribs are oriented in a swept-back fashion. That is largely similar to penguins and auks. While no conclusion has been reached yet, many of the experts involved in the study believe the ribs’ position probably allowed it to swim efficiently in lakes and streams.

The newly discovered species was recently described in Communications Biology. The dinosaur was not a saurian giant. In fact, it was characterized as about a foot-long creature that lived in prehistoric Mongolia. It lived some 71 million years ago. Stunningly, scientists believe that it may have dived like a duck.

Paleontologists have already named some of the species’ cousins, one of whom is the sharp-toothed Velociraptor. The Velociraptor is known to have been a prolific hunter that was also very smart. The newly discovered dinosaur, however, didn’t look much like its cousin. The creature had long jaws full of tiny teeth. The name of the creature, Natovenator polydontus, means “the many-toothed swimming hunter.”

Further Paleontological Discoveries on the Species

Paleontologists still have a lot of work in order to determine how the creature lived and hunted. Paleontologist Federico Angolin, who’s a member of the Argentine Natural Science Museum, took part in the study. Recently, he commented that there are some indicators that show the dinosaur was probably aquatic.

Observing the animal’s teeth, scientists have determined that it probably was adept at snatching small and slippery prey from the water. Furthermore, the animal’s preserved ribs are oriented in a swept-back fashion. That is largely similar to penguins and auks. While no conclusion has been reached yet, many of the experts involved in the study believe the ribs’ position probably allowed it to swim efficiently in lakes and streams.

Aethelflaed, the Warrior Queen who defeated the Vikings

By Mary Vermillion –

Women warriors may have been few and far between when you look at the history of the world, but when they make an impact, it reverberates across centuries. Some known names include the armored French teen, Joan of Arc, and the woman with a chariot of spiked wheels, Boudicca. Another lesser-known warrior is Aethelflaed, who was a mother, a wife, a diplomat, but most importantly a warrior queen who defeated the Vikings and laid England’s foundation. Read on to know more about this true medieval marvel.

Background

Aethelflaed was born to English King Alfred the Great amidst a time of great turmoil as the kingdom was under an attack from the blood-hungry Vikings. She was later married to Aethelred of Mercia at the age of 16, a political alliance that bonded the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. Aethelflaed’s husband was older than her, leading to a decline in his health. As Aethelred became increasingly ill, the queen took over most of his responsibilities like refurbishing towns and signing diplomatic contracts, and soon was taking care of the military activities of Mercia.

The Lady of Mercia

Aethelflaed was declared the Lady of the Mercians after her husband died in the year 911. The high-ranking officials of Mercia, whose support was immeasurable in securing the throne, chose Aethelflaed over any male to lead their kingdom. Mercia also offered women greater rights as opposed to Aethelflaed’s native kingdom of Wessex, where even the king’s wife wouldn’t be called a queen. However, the queen in Mercia proved that she was the right choice by securing a few of the biggest victories of the 10th century. Her troops reconquered the city of Derby from the Vikings, as well as secured Leicester. However, her image as a true warrior queen was established during the battle of Tettenhall, which happened in 910.

Death and Legacy

Sadly, the queen could not reign for long and died, possibly of dysentery, in 918 and was interred alongside her husband in Gloucester. Her powers not just as a formidable warrior, but also as a shrewd negotiator and ruler have made her one of the most powerful female leaders of her time. Her life is especially famous among the Normans, whose history books lavish praise on her military achievements. Sadly, Aethelflaed’s name pales in front of her father and her brother, Edward in Wessex history. But day by day, people are taking note of the young woman who was a force to be reckoned with and are remembering her courage and leadership.