The history of the Hateg Country is spanning more than 300 million years of history when the Earth surface was completely different than today. The rocks and fossils found now were formed in places and environments like coral reefs, volcanic island in the Tethys Sea populated by dinosaurs and other reptiles, primitive mammals and birds, or continental areas covered by Ice Age glaciers.

The geopark is guiding the visitors in geo-trails to discover the Retezat type granite, metamorphic rocks, bauxite quarries, reef limestone, areas of volcanic activity, fossil sites, karst and cave systems.

Dinosaurs The Hateg area contains one of the latest assemblages of dinosaurs in the world. The fossil remains are internationally unique and are commonly known as the ?dwarf dinosaurs of Transylvania'. The list of dinosaur species from Hateg includes: Magyarosaurus dacus , a titanosaurid sauropod, distantly related to the large herbivorous dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of the world, two ornithopods (?bird-like feets?): Rhabdodon priscus , an iguanodontid, and Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus (a ?duck-billed? dinosaur), an ankylosaur or ?armored dinosaur?- Struthiosaurus transylvanicus . All these species were herbivorous, but the carnivorous dinosaurs theropods, even poorly represented were also recognized on the basees of isolated teeth. They include at least two groups of small theropods: the dromaeosaurids and troodontids. Other reptile fossils are: turtles Kallokibotion bajazidi , crocodilians Allodaposuchus precedens , and remains of the largest pterosaurs or ?flying-reptiles? in the world Hatzegopterix tambema with a wing span of 14m. Within the proposed Geopark area other sites of geological interest have been identified. These include karst cave systems, areas of volcanic activity and fossil sites. A wide range of data has been collected over numerous years and this will need to be evaluated. Though some of the geological sites will not provide interest to visitors and tourists they have an important educational value.

Sites of interest

SÂnpetru fossiliferous sites Located along Sibisel Valley, south of SÂnpetru village, the site comprises several outcrops of the SÂnpetru Formation sediments. These deposits provided the largest quantity of dinosaur and other reptile fossils (crocodiles and turtles) from the Hateg Basin.

Tustea fossiliferous site Most of the fossil vertebrates are found either associated with the paleosol levels or in highly bioturbated fine sediments accumulated under a thin sheet of water, in swampy zones of the floodplains. The site from Tustea is known especially for the nests with dinosaur eggs. The egg clutches are included in a red massive mudstone that lack internal bedding due to pedogenetic modifications, marked by levels of small carbonate concretions (calcrete). The red mudstone represents the sedimentation in a well-drained floodplain, distal to the river channel; periodically the mud dried up, generating fossil soils. The red mudstone bed has also provided teeth and bones of other dinosaur taxa: Rhabdodon priscus and small theropods, as well as crocodile, turtle and microvertebrate remains.

CÂrnic geologic site Along Sibisel valley, near Lolaia waterfall, a spectacular exposure of a Retezat granitoide type occurs. The site is important from the educational point of view in attempt to explain a few of the characteristics about the complex magmatic evolution for the whole Retezat massif and Hateg area.

Ohaba paleontologic site The site is located not far from the village of Pui, west Ponor village. The site is relevant for its Upper Cretacous marine fauna in contrast with continental fauna found in other sites and has educational value. Its location and the surrounding landscape offer also a geo-touristic opportunity. The deposits are mainly siliciclastic represented by sandstone and siltstone with a rich gastropod fauna.

Valioara paleontologic site The site is located not far from the village of Pui, west Ponor village. The site is relevant for its Upper Cretacous marine fauna in contrast with continental fauna found in other sites and has educational value. Its location and the surrounding landscape offer also a geo-touristic opportunity. The deposits are mainly siliciclastic represented by sandstone and siltstone with a rich gastropod fauna.

Stei geologic site Located near Stei village the outcrops are along Densus valley. Here the lower member of Densus-Ciula volcanogenic-sedimentary formation is well exposed. A considerable mixing of terrigenous epiclastic and volcanoclastic materials provided by andesitic and ryolitic eruptions that took place in the westward volcanic centre. The sediments represent alluvial fan deposition near or along the flanks of volcanoes. Proximal facies include the coarsest and most poorly sorted sediments; these grade into mid-fan and distal-fan facies consisting of somewhat finer grained deposits, including cross-bedded channel conglomerates, debris flows and better sorted sands and silts of sheet flood origin.

Silvasu de Sus fossiliferous site An outcrop of Neogene sedimentary rocks near Silvasu Village with conglomerates, sandstones, volcanic ash and marls has a rich bivalve fossil association.

Boita mine exploitation A former copper mine that. It is located near Boita village (Rachitova). The site has historic and educational significance. The exploitation was the largest in the area and had a considerable environmental impact: pollution, and landscape deterioration.