The Smithsonian Museum to Showcase a Unique Dinosaur Skull: Find of the Year.

According to ТСН: The National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution is preparing to present an exciting find—a nearly fully preserved pachycephalosaurus skull. This rare fossil specimen will be presented to the public for the first time on December 22 at FossiLab, the museum's open laboratory where specialists work on preparing fossils.

The Significance of the Find

According to the curator of the museum's dinosaur department, this skull is one of the best-preserved specimens of its kind. It is especially valuable that the snout, teeth, and most cranial bones have survived—parts that typically do not endure to the present day due to their fragility.

About Pachycephalosaurus

Pachycephalosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period, known for its distinctive bony dome on its head. It inhabited the same regions as the Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. Despite numerous assumptions, researchers have not yet determined exactly whether this dinosaur used its massive skull for attacks or to showcase its strength.

The Discovery of the Find

This find was discovered in 2024 in South Dakota, in the Hell Creek geological formation—one of the most famous sites in the world for the variety of fossils from the late Cretaceous period. However, remains of pachycephalosaurus make up less than 1% of all found fossils there.

Structure of the Skull

The preserved skull consists of 32 separate bones, most of which have fused into a characteristic dome. The teeth and the buds of new ones are also well preserved, indicating that the animal was likely still juvenile. Soon, scientists intend to perform a CT scan to examine the internal structure of the skull, including the shape of the brain and the features of bone growth.

Additional Information

The Smithsonian Institution already holds another important specimen of this species—the holotype, which was first used to describe pachycephalosaurus in 1931. The new exhibit may significantly enhance scientists' knowledge of the development and anatomy of these dinosaurs.

It is also worth noting that scientists recently identified a new species of dinosaurs, the remains of which were destroyed during World War II. These discoveries continue to broaden our understanding of past eras and the evolution of life on Earth.