A stratigraphic, taphonomic and paleoecologic approach to a "forgotten land": the dinosaur-bearing deposits from the Hateg Basin (Transylvania-Romania)

This paper represents a general review of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, taphonomy and paleoecology of the dinosaur deposits (Sinpetru beds) from Hateg Basin, based on new field investigations in Sînpetru region — the classical area studied by F. Nopcsa. The age of these deposits, previously assigned to Danian, is proved to be Maastrichtian, through their geometric position, above the Campanian marine deposits, and the palynologic content (“Normapolles” association). The Sînpetru beds represent the deposits of a braided river system on the slope of a mountain piedmont apparently grading distally to deltaic conditions.