Trex skeleton
Julie Hambleton
Julie Hambleton
November 25, 2020 ·  2 min read

World’s First Complete T-Rex Skeleton Finally Revealed To Public 67 Million Years After It Was Buried

Discovered back in 2006, scientists have finally revealed the world’s first-ever fully complete T-rex skeleton. Found locked in a battle to the death with a Triceratops, the dueling dinosaurs are a true paleontological marvel. (1)

The World’s First-Ever Complete T-Rex Skeleton

67-million years ago, a T-Rex and a Triceratops perished after falling during an epic battle to the death. Nicknamed The Dueling Dinosaurs, they were preserved together in what is thought to be a predator-prey situation. (1)

Image Credit: Matt Zeher / SWNS

In 2006, a cattle rancher and two friends, all of whom are professional fossil hunters, found the remains encased in sediment in Montana. (2) The pair are so immaculately well-preserved that you can still see their body outlines, skin impressions, and their injuries. There are even T-rex teeth stuck in the Triceratops’ side! (2)

A Long Excavation Process

The excavation of the 14-ton T-rex skeleton and it’s equally heavy Triceratops counterpart took years. The long wait is worth it, however, as this discovery is being described as ‘one of the most important paleontological discoveries of our time’. It is the only 100% complete T-rex skeleton ever found. (1)

Image Credit: Matt Zeher / SWNS

“ We have not yet studied this specimen; it is a scientific frontier,” explains Dr. Lindsay Zanno, head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. “The preservation is phenomenal, and we plan to use every technological innovation available to reveal new information on the biology of the T. rex and Triceratops.” (1)

She went on to remark that this discovery will surely change our view of these two extremely popular dinosaurs. (1)

Where to See The T-Rex Skeleton

Friends of the North Carolina Museum for Natural Sciences purchased The Dueling Dinosaurs at auction. The non-profit group then donated to the museum, where the two dinosaurs will be on display. (2)

Image Credit: Matt Zeher / SWNS

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences plans to open the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibition in 2022. (3) Currently, the two carcasses remain encased in sediment, where paleontologists will study them further before being set up for display. The bones are still all in their natural positions, providing the scientists with an opportunity to study them like never before. (1)

It will be very exciting to learn what the scientists discover about two of the world’s favorite dinosaurs. We can’t wait to visit the exhibition when it is ready.

Keep Reading: Dinosaur ‘Mummy’ Is So Well-Preserved It Even Has The Skin And Guts Intact