Sanga da Alemoa
Encyclopedia
The Sanga da Alemoa paleontological site is located in the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul
, in Brazil
. It belongs to the Caturrita Formation
and the Santa Maria Formation
. It is located in the neighborhood of Castelinho. The site belongs to the paleorrota
region.
. It was this site that came out Staurikosaurus
, the first Brazilian dinosaur and one of the oldest found in the world. Researchers collected fossil in this site that drew attention of international researchers who later visited the region. These local researchers shaped the paleontological research in the region and Brazil
. For all these contributions and historical factors, the Sanga da Alemoa is now known internationally.
The site was discovered by Professor and geographer Antero de Almeida, in 1901, when the first fossil was found at the site and also the first fossil of paleorrota
.
In 1902, Dr. Jango Fischer, born in Santa Maria, collected fossils on site that were sent to Arthur Smith Woodward
, the eminent paleontologist at the British Museum
in London
. The Rhynchosaur
found Scaphonyx fischeri was named in honor of Jango Fischer.
In May 1906 the Brazilian engineer Cicero Campos collected fossils that were sent to Arthur Smith Woodward
.
Between 1915 to 1917, Dr. Guilherme Rau
, a German who took up residence in Santa Maria, helped the German
scientist Dr. H. Lotz, who collected 200 pieces on the Site. This material was sent to Von Huene
, Germany. During this time a boy of 14 years of ages, Atílio Munari
, who lived near the site (Schirmer village), went to live with the scientist H. Lotz, who taught him to collect and prepare the fossils. Many of his works are now in Rio de Janeiro
, Porto Alegre
and Santa Maria.
Llewellyn Ivor Price
, was born in Santa Maria in 1905, and completed his studies at Harvard University
, USA. He returned to Santa Maria in 1936, bringing along his colleague Theodore E. White. Both came into contact with the Munari
who helped in their excavations at this site. This year was collected Staurikosaurus
, the first Brazilian dinosaur. Price
was the first totally Brazilian paleontologist and helped define the whole structure of paleontological research in Brazil
.
In 1925, the German paleontologist Dr. Bruno von Freyberg, University of Halle-Wittenberg
, visited the site. That same year Dr. G. Florence and Pacheco of Geological and geographical Commission of Sao Paulo were in place.
In 1927, Guilherme Rau
collected the cynodont Gomphodontosuchus brasiliensis
.
In 1927, come to Santa Maria geologists Paulino Franco de Carvalho and Nero Passos. This year also comes the Geologist
Alex Löfgren, who was here for a year and a half helped by Munari
.
In 1928 comes the German Friedrich von Huene
, accompanied by Dr. Rudolf Stahlecker
. They visited the site for six months and returned to Germany
with many tons of fossils. Many fossils have been collected are at the University of Tuebingen, Germany
. During this period had been staying at the home of Guilherme Hübner, located within the site.
Cerritosaurus
was collected in 1941 by the Jesuit Antonio Binsfeld, of seminary São José in Santa Maria.
In the decades of 40 'and 50 expeditions organized by Llewellyn Ivor Price
, the Division of Paleontology at the National Department of Mineral Production of Rio de Janeiro
, arriving in the region. Price
has worked in the area along with Edwin Harris Colbert
, Carlos de Paula Couto
, Mackenzie Gondon, Fausto Luis de Souza Cunha and Theodore E. White. In Santa Maria, Price
stayed at Centenário College
.
Between 1968 and 1973, priest Daniel Cargnin
collected many fossils at the site, which were sent to several research institutions and museums.
In 1999, Max Cardoso Langer and colleagues collected on the spot the dinosaur Saturnalia Tupiniquim
.
In honor of the researchers Atílio Munari
and Daniel Cargnin
, streets near the site received their names.
Atílio Munari
's body rests in São José Cemetery, near the site.
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
, in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It belongs to the Caturrita Formation
Caturrita Formation
The Caturrita Formation is a rock formation found in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Its sediments were deposited in the Paraná Basin. The formation has a late Carnian to early Norian age and forms part of the Santa Maria Supersequence in the upper section of the Rosário do Sul Group.-Etymology:The...
and the Santa Maria Formation
Santa Maria Formation
The Santa Maria Formation is a sedimentary rock formation found in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It has a late Ladinian – early Carnian age , and is notable for its fossils of early dinosaurs, including the herrerasaur Staurikosaurus, the basal saurischian Teyuwasu, and the basal sauropodomorph...
. It is located in the neighborhood of Castelinho. The site belongs to the paleorrota
Paleorrota
Paleorrota , is a geopark located in the center of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The rocks and fossils found along the route date back to the times when there was only one supercontinent Pangaea....
region.
History
Historically the Sanga da Alemoa is one of the most important paleontological sites in BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. It was this site that came out Staurikosaurus
Staurikosaurus
Staurikosaurus is a genus of herrerasaurid dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Brazil.-Discovery:The first known specimen of Staurikosaurus was recovered from the Paleontological Site Jazigo Cinco of the Santa Maria Formation in the geopark of paleorrota , Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil...
, the first Brazilian dinosaur and one of the oldest found in the world. Researchers collected fossil in this site that drew attention of international researchers who later visited the region. These local researchers shaped the paleontological research in the region and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. For all these contributions and historical factors, the Sanga da Alemoa is now known internationally.
The site was discovered by Professor and geographer Antero de Almeida, in 1901, when the first fossil was found at the site and also the first fossil of paleorrota
Paleorrota
Paleorrota , is a geopark located in the center of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The rocks and fossils found along the route date back to the times when there was only one supercontinent Pangaea....
.
In 1902, Dr. Jango Fischer, born in Santa Maria, collected fossils on site that were sent to Arthur Smith Woodward
Arthur Smith Woodward
Sir Arthur Smith Woodward was an English palaeontologist.-Biography:Woodward was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England and was educated there and at Owens College, Manchester. He joined the staff of the Department of Geology at the Natural History Museum in 1882. He became assistant Keeper of...
, the eminent paleontologist at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The Rhynchosaur
Rhynchosaur
Rhynchosaurs were a group of Triassic diapsid reptiles related to the archosaurs.-Description:Rhynchosaurs were herbivores, and at times abundant , with stocky bodies and a powerful beak...
found Scaphonyx fischeri was named in honor of Jango Fischer.
In May 1906 the Brazilian engineer Cicero Campos collected fossils that were sent to Arthur Smith Woodward
Arthur Smith Woodward
Sir Arthur Smith Woodward was an English palaeontologist.-Biography:Woodward was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England and was educated there and at Owens College, Manchester. He joined the staff of the Department of Geology at the Natural History Museum in 1882. He became assistant Keeper of...
.
Between 1915 to 1917, Dr. Guilherme Rau
Guilherme Rau
Guilherme Rau immigrated to Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from Germany in 1900. An ophthalmologist, from 1915 to 1917 he helped with the Geological Survey of Berlin's excavation of 200 fossil at the Paleontological Site Sanga of Alemoa...
, a German who took up residence in Santa Maria, helped the German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
scientist Dr. H. Lotz, who collected 200 pieces on the Site. This material was sent to Von Huene
Friedrich von Huene
Friedrich von Huene was a German paleontologist who named more dinosaurs in the early 20th century than anyone else in Europe.-Biography:...
, Germany. During this time a boy of 14 years of ages, Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari was born in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Biography:He lived near the Sanga da Alemoa, and when he was 14 years old, he lived with the scientist H. Lotz, a German paleontologist, who taught him to collecting and preparing fossils. Many of the fossils collected by him, are...
, who lived near the site (Schirmer village), went to live with the scientist H. Lotz, who taught him to collect and prepare the fossils. Many of his works are now in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area . It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian...
and Santa Maria.
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price was one of the first Brazilian paleontologists.-Biography:Price's work contributed not only to the development of Brazilian but also to global paleontology...
, was born in Santa Maria in 1905, and completed his studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, USA. He returned to Santa Maria in 1936, bringing along his colleague Theodore E. White. Both came into contact with the Munari
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari was born in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Biography:He lived near the Sanga da Alemoa, and when he was 14 years old, he lived with the scientist H. Lotz, a German paleontologist, who taught him to collecting and preparing fossils. Many of the fossils collected by him, are...
who helped in their excavations at this site. This year was collected Staurikosaurus
Staurikosaurus
Staurikosaurus is a genus of herrerasaurid dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Brazil.-Discovery:The first known specimen of Staurikosaurus was recovered from the Paleontological Site Jazigo Cinco of the Santa Maria Formation in the geopark of paleorrota , Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil...
, the first Brazilian dinosaur. Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price was one of the first Brazilian paleontologists.-Biography:Price's work contributed not only to the development of Brazilian but also to global paleontology...
was the first totally Brazilian paleontologist and helped define the whole structure of paleontological research in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
In 1925, the German paleontologist Dr. Bruno von Freyberg, University of Halle-Wittenberg
University of Halle-Wittenberg
The Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , also referred to as MLU, is a public, research-oriented university in the cities of Halle and Wittenberg within Saxony-Anhalt, Germany...
, visited the site. That same year Dr. G. Florence and Pacheco of Geological and geographical Commission of Sao Paulo were in place.
In 1927, Guilherme Rau
Guilherme Rau
Guilherme Rau immigrated to Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from Germany in 1900. An ophthalmologist, from 1915 to 1917 he helped with the Geological Survey of Berlin's excavation of 200 fossil at the Paleontological Site Sanga of Alemoa...
collected the cynodont Gomphodontosuchus brasiliensis
Gomphodontosuchus
Gomphodontosuchus is a genus created to have described the species Gomphodontosuchus arasiliensis.-Species:Gomphodontosuchus brasiliensis, is a species first collected in 1928 by Friedrich von Huene in Santa Maria Formation, the Geopark of Paleorrota, Brazil.-References:* * *...
.
In 1927, come to Santa Maria geologists Paulino Franco de Carvalho and Nero Passos. This year also comes the Geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
Alex Löfgren, who was here for a year and a half helped by Munari
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari was born in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Biography:He lived near the Sanga da Alemoa, and when he was 14 years old, he lived with the scientist H. Lotz, a German paleontologist, who taught him to collecting and preparing fossils. Many of the fossils collected by him, are...
.
In 1928 comes the German Friedrich von Huene
Friedrich von Huene
Friedrich von Huene was a German paleontologist who named more dinosaurs in the early 20th century than anyone else in Europe.-Biography:...
, accompanied by Dr. Rudolf Stahlecker
Rudolf Stahlecker
- Biography :He studied with the German paleontologist Friedrich von Huene at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He participated in expeditions to collect fossils in the geopark of Paleorrota in 1928 and 1929. He also made several collections of fossils in Argentina.In his honor, the dicynodonts...
. They visited the site for six months and returned to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with many tons of fossils. Many fossils have been collected are at the University of Tuebingen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. During this period had been staying at the home of Guilherme Hübner, located within the site.
Cerritosaurus
Cerritosaurus
Cerritosaurus is a genus of proterochampsid archosauromorph from the Upper Triassic. It has been found in the Santa Maria Formation, in the Geopark of Paleorrota. It is represented by one species....
was collected in 1941 by the Jesuit Antonio Binsfeld, of seminary São José in Santa Maria.
In the decades of 40 'and 50 expeditions organized by Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price was one of the first Brazilian paleontologists.-Biography:Price's work contributed not only to the development of Brazilian but also to global paleontology...
, the Division of Paleontology at the National Department of Mineral Production of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, arriving in the region. Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price was one of the first Brazilian paleontologists.-Biography:Price's work contributed not only to the development of Brazilian but also to global paleontology...
has worked in the area along with Edwin Harris Colbert
Edwin Harris Colbert
Edwin Harris Colbert was a distinguished American vertebrate paleontologist and prolific researcher and author. He received his A.B. from the University of Nebraska, then his Masters and Ph.D. from Columbia University, finishing in 1935.Born in Clarinda, Iowa, he grew up in Maryville, Missouri...
, Carlos de Paula Couto
Carlos de Paula Couto
-Biography:Carlos de Paula Couto, was one of the most important Brazilian paleontologists.Researcher at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, specialized in paleontology of mammals...
, Mackenzie Gondon, Fausto Luis de Souza Cunha and Theodore E. White. In Santa Maria, Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price
Llewellyn Ivor Price was one of the first Brazilian paleontologists.-Biography:Price's work contributed not only to the development of Brazilian but also to global paleontology...
stayed at Centenário College
Colégio Centenário
The Colégio Centenário is a Methodist college located at Rua Dr. Tury, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Your name derives from the founding date, March 27, 1922, at the very first year of centenary of the independence of Brazil . Its founders were two American missionaries from the Methodist...
.
Between 1968 and 1973, priest Daniel Cargnin
Daniel Cargnin
Daniel Cargnin, was a Brazilian priest and amateur paleontologist born in Nova Palma, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 1930. He died in 2002, and at his request was buried in the town of Mata....
collected many fossils at the site, which were sent to several research institutions and museums.
In 1999, Max Cardoso Langer and colleagues collected on the spot the dinosaur Saturnalia Tupiniquim
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival/ celebration held in honour of Saturn , the youngest of the Titans, father of the major gods of the Greeks and Romans, and son of Uranus and Gaia...
.
In honor of the researchers Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari was born in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Biography:He lived near the Sanga da Alemoa, and when he was 14 years old, he lived with the scientist H. Lotz, a German paleontologist, who taught him to collecting and preparing fossils. Many of the fossils collected by him, are...
and Daniel Cargnin
Daniel Cargnin
Daniel Cargnin, was a Brazilian priest and amateur paleontologist born in Nova Palma, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 1930. He died in 2002, and at his request was buried in the town of Mata....
, streets near the site received their names.
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari
Atílio Munari was born in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.-Biography:He lived near the Sanga da Alemoa, and when he was 14 years old, he lived with the scientist H. Lotz, a German paleontologist, who taught him to collecting and preparing fossils. Many of the fossils collected by him, are...
's body rests in São José Cemetery, near the site.
Animals found
- StaurikosaurusStaurikosaurusStaurikosaurus is a genus of herrerasaurid dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Brazil.-Discovery:The first known specimen of Staurikosaurus was recovered from the Paleontological Site Jazigo Cinco of the Santa Maria Formation in the geopark of paleorrota , Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil...
- RhynchosaurRhynchosaurRhynchosaurs were a group of Triassic diapsid reptiles related to the archosaurs.-Description:Rhynchosaurs were herbivores, and at times abundant , with stocky bodies and a powerful beak...
(Scaphonyx fischeri). - Gomphodontosuchus brasiliensisGomphodontosuchusGomphodontosuchus is a genus created to have described the species Gomphodontosuchus arasiliensis.-Species:Gomphodontosuchus brasiliensis, is a species first collected in 1928 by Friedrich von Huene in Santa Maria Formation, the Geopark of Paleorrota, Brazil.-References:* * *...
- CerritosaurusCerritosaurusCerritosaurus is a genus of proterochampsid archosauromorph from the Upper Triassic. It has been found in the Santa Maria Formation, in the Geopark of Paleorrota. It is represented by one species....
- Saturnalia TupiniquimSaturnaliaSaturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival/ celebration held in honour of Saturn , the youngest of the Titans, father of the major gods of the Greeks and Romans, and son of Uranus and Gaia...