Fossils found in China identified as Jurassic

BEIJING

Two fossils discovered a month ago in southwest China have been identified as belonging to dinosaurs from 180 million years ago.

State news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday that the fossils -- which were found during roadwork in Yunnan province's Lufeng county -- have been diagnosed as belonging to a Lufengosaurus Magnus and Lufengosaurus Huenei.

The Magnus fossil is more than five meters long, with three sacral vertebras, 13 dorsal vertebras, 22 coccygeal vertebras and complete hind legs, while the Huenei -- found just 500 meters away -- features two preserved shanks, two dorsal vertebras and two coccygeal vertebras.

Lufengosaurus is a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur known for its gigantic size which lived about 180 million years ago.