The iconic name Brontosaurus, once used to describe a family of huge dinosaurs, has been resurrected after being killed off more than a century ago.

In 1903, scientists decided Brontosaurus was a more complete specimen of a different dinosaur. But many more specimens of plant-eating dinosaurs are now known, allowing scientists to carry out the most complete analysis of their bones. The name Brontosaurus goes back to the so-called Bone Wars of the late 1800s.

In their quest for new specimens, Marsh and Cope were drawn to the rich fossil beds of the American west. To their surprise, Brontosaurus emerged from the analysis as a distinct dinosaur.

It is only with new finds of dinosaurs similar to Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus in recent years that it became possible to undertake a detailed investigation of how different they were.

Courtesy: BBC