Discover the Amazing Find: Nearly Complete Dinosaur Skeleton with Stunningly Preserved Skin Unearthed by Scientists!

A remarkable dinosaur fossil has been found in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. Researchers from the University of Reading and the University of New England, along with the Royal Tyrrell Museum, recently made this exciting discovery. The fossil includes a large part of a juvenile hadrosaur skeleton, along with fossilized skin.

This fossil was first spotted in 2021 by volunteer Teri Kaskie during a field trip led by Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading. While examining a hillside, she noticed part of the skeleton visible on the surface. The remains include the tail and a hind foot, hinting that the rest of the skeleton might still be buried within the hill.

“We aim to finish the excavation over the next two field seasons. The tail and foot’s small size suggest it is a juvenile. While adult duck-billed dinosaurs are well-documented, young ones are rare. This find could help scientists learn more about how hadrosaurs grew,” said Dr. Pickles.

Often called a “dinosaur mummy,” this fossil provides a unique look at the anatomy and appearance of these ancient creatures.

The most striking part of the fossil is the well-preserved skin covering much of the skeleton. Dr. Caleb Brown from the Royal Tyrrell Museum notes that this level of soft tissue preservation is incredibly rare. The skin can show details about the dinosaur’s texture and might even provide clues about its color and environment.

“The preservation of skin can give us a clearer picture beyond just the bones,” Dr. Brown added. “There might be even more skin within the rock, which can further illuminate what the hadrosaur looked like.”

Once the fossil is completely excavated, it will go to the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s Preparation Lab. There, technicians will carefully remove the surrounding rock to fully reveal the skeleton. This preparation will determine how complete the skeleton is and could take several years.

This discovery highlights the importance of Dinosaur Provincial Park as a hotspot for paleontological research. Notably, a 2022 study indicated that Alberta hosts some of the highest numbers of dinosaur fossils in the world, with estimates suggesting that nearly 50 species have been discovered in this region alone. This find not only enriches scientific knowledge but also connects us to a world that existed over 75 million years ago, fascinating both researchers and the public alike.

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