????From October of 1997 to the end of 1999, the Institute of Archaeology of Yunnan Province and the Museum of Lufeng County excavated dinosaur fossils at Laochangqing Village in Lufeng County, Yunnan Province. They found eight pieces of individual dinosaur fossils.
???? In early July of 1995, Lu Jiayou, a farmer of Chuanjie Township, Lufeng County, dug into the site of the largest group of dinosaur fossils in the world. The first fossil he dug out of the soil was only as large as a potato. Researchers believed that it was a dinosaur fossil. The site is located 300 meters off the north side of the highway from Kunming to Chuxiong.
???? With approval from the relevant department of the local government, the Institute of Archaeology of Yunnan Province and the Dinosaur Museum of Lufeng County, the first stage of excavation began in February 1997. The workers discovered four dinosaur fossils on the purple-colored rock and clay stratum (of the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era.) So far, more than 120 dinosaur fossils have been found.
???? The specialists believe that these fossils date from the late period of the Middle Jurassic, dating back to about 160 million years.
???? At present, the local county government is working out a program for the protection and development of the dinosaur fossil site. The Shanghai Natural History Museum has also joined in the research and protection work. It has been learned that around the site on Chuanjie Street, a comprehensive facility including a scientific research base, a science popularization and information hall, and a scenic spot with the discoveries will be built up.