In the world of paleontology, it’s the rarest of finds, a near-complete, and preserved triceratops skeleton. Dr. Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of paleontology, Melbourne Museum said the skeleton is the rarest of finds.
“I am touching the tooth of a Triceratops. This is a surreal experience. It’s absolutely spectacular.”
At 87-percent complete, this 65-million-year-old Triceratops skeleton includes almost all the bones.
Its skull is 99-percent intact, the most complete Triceratops skull ever found, weighing in at 261-kilograms.
“What I’m holding here is probably rightly considered the most formidable herbivorous land animal that’s ever walked on the planet. And it is an awesome sight,” Dr. Fitzgerald said.
For three years, the staff at Victoria’s Dino Lab worked under the cloak of secrecy, including Melissa Kay, Fossil Preparator. That included clearing the debris from the bones.
“It was unbelievable to get to work on something like this. It’s a dream project for someone like me.” said Kay.
Found on private land in Montana in 2014, scientists spent three years digging it out. Then shipped it to Victoria’s Dino Lab in 2017.
“The bone is actually preserved really nicely. It is extremely fragile. It’s a bit dry and crumbly in places, so we’re only using manual tools,” Kay said.
Kathryn Abbott is a Fossil Preparator and 3D Technician at Dino Lab. “Out of all the dinosaurs in the world, I can count on my hands how many dinosaurs have been found to this magnitude. This is going to be one of the best dinosaurs of all the dinosaurs ever discovered.”
The fossil weighs more than 1,000 kilograms. It’s estimated to be six to seven metres long, and more than two metres tall. But to see it, you’ll have to wait until it’s unveiled at its permanent home in Australia at The Melbourne Museum.
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Mary Griffin
