Remarkable ‘Dueling Dinosaurs’ Fossil May Ultimately Uncover The Mysteries Behind

Eventually, a delicate remains of what seems to be the most perfect Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops fossil involved in an iconic duel ever documented, will be able to be thoroughly researched.

Source: Peter Larson

Scientists initially found the remains in 2006 and since then has preserved it for more than one and half a decade.Ultimately, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) obtained the fossil, expecting to clarify the paleobiology of the most well-known ancient fight ever occurred.

Source: Anthony Hutchings

An epic combat?

Absolutely nobody can be certain whether the juvenile tyrannosaur and the full-grown ceratopsian truly challenged each other till they were both dead or not.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Neither can they be determined that the creatures happened to be buried together, for example due to a carcasses caught on the same river sandbar. However, there’s a chain of teasing proof that needs considering.
One instance is that almost all of the teeth of the Tyrannosaurus were found smashed, the skull was found shattered and there was even a cracked finger. And the mention teeth were somehow implanted in the Triceratops’ spine.

Source: Peter Larson

However, paleontologists remain unable to deduce whether there was actually a ruthless fight between the two opponents that caused the said injuries, or those injuries were subsequent to the death of the two animals.
They all reached a consensus that the 66 million-year-old puzzle might be dealt with thanks to a thorough excavation of the fossil.

Source: Peter Larson

A precious fossil

Absolutely a spectacular discovery, the fossilized remains of the ‘Dueling Dinosaurs’ is believed to contain 100% of the creatures’ skeletons, together with body outlines, skin impressions, and probably even what is left of soft tissues and the inside of the stomach.

Source: Peter Larson

“What is remarkable about these specimens is they still preserve all their context about the late Cretaceous period surroundings. So we can really dive in and know there is integrity in the scientific data that will come from these specimens,” said Lindsay Zanno, a palaeontologist at North Carolina State University and the NCMNS head of paleontology.
Meanwhile, experts are still trying to figure out whether the skin impressions help to preserve the molecules and whether there are any proof of feathers presented in the tyrannosaurus fossil.

Source: Peter Larson

Additional insights on the development period of the ‘tyrant lizard king’ and its evolution from a nimble hunter to a massive super-predator can also be granted thanks to the same fossil

Epilogue

Source: Peter Larson

In fact, the epic battle between the T.rex and the Triceratops could be hardly proved, even by scientists, although it has raised a lot of controversy among scholars and press alike. And it might be ultimately confirmed, or not, with the full incoming inspection, to reveal if there had been any brutal showdown happening in the Late Cretaceous North America 66 million years ago.
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