Description:

North America, Western United States, Wyoming, Niobrara County, Lance Formation, late Cretaceous, 70 to 66 million years ago. An incredible fossilized piece of dinosaur anatomy, the dome from the skull of a Pachycephalosaurus. These were bipedal herbivores with small forelimbs, and they are widely known for their thick skulls; they developed large domes to cushion the brain, with bony knobs and blunt nasal spikes that they used to headbutt. Head striking was perhaps used during interspecies combat when competing for territory or mates - and Pachycephalosaurus have often been compared to modern day big horn sheep. However, this use of their skulls is debated, and some argue they rammed the flanks of their opponents. This is an exceedingly rare and important specimen, only a few domes and skulls from these "thick headed lizards" have been discovered. The ventral / underside of this particular dome is preserved as well! Size: 7.75" L x 5.5" W x 4.5" H (19.7 cm x 14 cm x 11.4 cm); 9.75" H (24.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#179688

  • Condition: Exceedingly rare with superb preservation to the dome and ventral of cranium. Stable hairline fissures on doime. Coated with protective fixative.

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June 29, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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