One of the Best-Preserved Dinosaur Fossils Ever Discovered Publicly Unveiled For First Time

Picture of Nat Geo fossils of a dinosaur
PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CLARK

One of the best-preserved fossils of a dinosaur ever found, and the best-preserved nodosaur (herbivore) fossil ever found is being unveiled to the public for the first time on Friday in National Geographic’s June story, “Turned to Stone,” and in partnership with The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, Canada, which will unveil its exhibit of the fossil tomorrow.

The fossil was first discovered when a Canadian heavy-equipment operator struck it at an Alberta mine. After careful excavation, the incredible fossil (still with bits of fossilized skin visible covering its bumpy armor plates) was taken to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada where fossil preparator Mark Mitchell has spent 7,000+ hours over the last five years slowly exposing the fossil’s skin and bones. Research on the nodosaur was supported by the National Geographic Society.

The complex magazine piece covers the history, discovery, excavation, and preservation of this iconic fossil. The rare, three-dimensional shape of the fossil is attributed to a rapid undersea burial of the late nodosaur approximately 110 million years ago, on which National Geographic writer Michael Greshko elaborates in the piece.

Greshko is available for interviews to discuss the nodosaur‘s unveiling, how it came to be a fossil, and what this discovery means for paleontologists and our overarching knowledge of dinosaurs. Photos and video of the fossil, as well as graphics depicting the demise and fossilization of the nodosaur, are available for use.

Story at: http://www.natgeo.com/nodosaur

Media Contact

Anna Kukelhaus Dynan
anna.kukelhaus@natgeo.com
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