When you think of dinosaur skin, many people imagine the hard scales of a crocodile or the bird-like feathers that have been increasingly discovered in recent years.
However, a dinosaur with a “completely new skin structure” that fits neither of these categories and shakes the very foundations of paleontology has been discovered in China.

A new species of herbivorous dinosaur found in strata from the Early Cretaceous period (about 125 million years ago) was covered all over its body with “hollow spikes,” much like a modern porcupine.
We will explain in detail the true nature and possible roles of these unique spikes on this astonishing new species, “Haolong dongi,” which was announced in the academic journal “Nature Ecology & Evolution” in February 2026.

Miraculous Preservation! A Fossil Discovery Where Even Cell Nuclei Are Visible

This historic fossil was excavated from the “Jehol Group (Yixian Formation)” in Liaoning Province, northeastern China, a site world-famous for yielding many extremely well-preserved fossils, including feathered dinosaurs.

As a result of analysis using the latest technology by an international research team, it was revealed that this fossil is a new species of dinosaur belonging to the “iguanodontian” group, and it was named Haolong dongi (meaning “spiny dragon”).
The iguanodontians are an important group of herbivorous dinosaurs that thrived worldwide throughout the Cretaceous period, but this is the first time in the 200-year history of dinosaur research that such skin traces have been found.

Microscopic Internal Structure of the Skin Revealed

Not only did the excavated juvenile specimen retain a nearly complete skeleton, but surprisingly, it was preserved in extremely good condition—to the point where “even the nuclei of the skin cells can be identified under a microscope.”
It is a major discovery of incredibly high documentary value, succeeding in identifying the skin structure of a dinosaur at the cellular level, something that could only be imagined until now.

A “Third Skin Tissue” That is Neither Scale Nor Feather

A detailed examination of the skin fossil of Haolong dongi revealed facts that overturn the common sense of dinosaur science.

Countless “spine-like projections” grew pointing backward over a wide area covering the neck, back, torso, base of the limbs, and tail.
Most are about 2 to 3 mm long, but there were also large spikes exceeding 44 mm among the largest.

“Hollow Skin Tissue,” Not Bone

Even more surprisingly, these spikes were not bones but “tissues originating from the skin,” and their internal structure was a “tube-like structure with a hollow center (hollow cylindrical shape).”
The outside consisted of a stratum corneum (horny layer), and epidermal tissue was preserved inside.

Until now, it was thought that the body surface of dinosaurs was either “reptilian-like scales” or “feathers like those seen in the ancestors of birds.”
However, the research team concluded that Haolong’s spikes are neither pointed scales nor modified feathers, but a “third tissue” with its own unique multi-layered structure.
They had evolved their skin through a unique route entirely unrelated to the evolution of feathers.

Why Covered in Spikes? A Survival Strategy to Become a “Troublesome Prey”

So, exactly why was Haolong dongi clad in these bizarre hollow spikes all over its body?
The research team considered several possibilities and derived the most plausible hypothesis.

Thermoregulation Theory (Questioned)

The possibility that it helped regulate body temperature by increasing surface area was considered, but it is thought that a high heat-retaining effect could not be expected because the density of the spikes is low.

Display / Sensory Organ Theory (Questioned)

This is questioned because there are no traces of pigment cells, and the structure is too large to have functioned as a sensory organ.

The Most Plausible is the “Defense Function Theory”

Currently, the most widely supported theory is that it was a “defensive organ” to keep predators at bay, much like a modern porcupine.
As a juvenile of a gentle herbivorous dinosaur, Haolong was a prime target for the many small carnivorous dinosaurs that inhabited the same area.

While these spikes were not fatal weapons capable of stabbing an enemy to death, they must have been sufficiently effective to make it a “prey that is hard to bite and hard to swallow.”
It is thought that they played a role in reducing the probability of being eaten by making predators hesitate to attack and forcing them to spend extra time and effort.
By turning its whole body into a spiky, “troublesome prey,” it likely tried to survive the harsh struggle for existence.

The Endless Wonders of Evolution

It should be noted that because the Haolong dongi specimen discovered this time is a “juvenile” about 2.45 meters long, it is not known at this time whether these spikes were maintained into adulthood or shed during the growth process.

However, with the discovery of Haolong dongi, a completely new third skin structure—the “hollow spike”—has been added to the history of dinosaurs.
The body surfaces of dinosaurs were not so simple as to be explained by a binary of scales or feathers; they were far more diverse and complex than we ever imagined.
Deep underground, unknown clues that will overturn the next set of common sense are waiting for their moment of discovery even right now.

Satsumasendai City in Kagoshima Prefecture announced the discovery of what is believed to be a fossil of the extremely rare mosasaurid “Selmasaurus” from a Late Cretaceous (about 80 million years ago) stratum on Shimokoshiki Island, a remote island belonging to the city.

Mosasaurs are large marine reptiles known as the “kings of the sea” that dominated the oceans during the Late Cretaceous period.
Until now, Selmasaurus had only been discovered in the Americas, and if this fossil is confirmed, it will be an historic achievement as the fourth case in the world and the very first discovery in Asia (Japan).

In this article, we will explain in detail how this monumental discovery of the century came about, and the three major reasons why it has astonished the global paleontological community.

What is the King of the Sea, “Selmasaurus”? A Giant Lizard, Not a Dinosaur

What kind of creature was the “Selmasaurus” whose fossil was discovered this time?

Not a Dinosaur, but a Marine Reptile of the Order “Squamata”

As a major premise, although it has “saurus” in its name, it is not a dinosaur.
It is a large marine reptile belonging to the order “Squamata,” closely related to modern lizards and snakes, that lived in the seas during the Late Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era, the same era as the dinosaurs.
With sharp teeth lining its large mouth, it was a ferocious hunter reigning at the top of the marine ecosystem, but it disappeared along with the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago due to the mass extinction caused by a giant meteorite impact.

A Medium-Sized Species with an Estimated Length of 4 to 5 Meters

While typical mosasaurs can reach lengths of over 11 meters, the Selmasaurus individual found this time is estimated to have been about 4 to 5 meters long based on the size of its bone.

Why is it a “Discovery of the Century”? 3 Reasons It Rewrites History

The bone fragment discovered this time, measuring 9 cm long and about 4.5 cm wide, is highly regarded in the paleontological community.
The reasons are the following three points.

Reason 1: The First Discovery in Asia (Only the 4th Case in the World)

Until now, Selmasaurus-type fossils were considered “super rare species,” with only three cases found worldwide from inland areas of the North American continent (such as Kansas and Alabama).
Therefore, it was thought to be an endemic species around America, but by being discovered in Japan in Asia, across the Pacific Ocean, the conventional wisdom that it “only existed in the Americas” was brilliantly overturned.

Reason 2: Significantly Updating the Period of Existence (The Newest Fossil)

The past three fossil cases were found in strata from about 86 to 81 million years ago (or 83 million years ago).
In contrast, the fossil this time was unearthed from a stratum dating back “about 80 million years ago.”
This makes it highly likely to be “the fossil of a Selmasaurus that lived in the newest era so far,” a discovery that significantly extends their period of existence closer to modern times.

Reason 3: Proof of Diversity in Asia

The fact that a species thought to exist only in America was also swimming in the seas of Asia indicates that Late Cretaceous mosasaurs migrated over a much wider area than imagined and possessed rich diversity.
It represents a global contribution to understanding the evolutionary history of mosasaurs throughout Asia.

Behind the Scenes of the Discovery: The “Treasure Island of Fossils” Koshiki Island and the Drama of Expert Appraisal

This major discovery was brought about on Shimokoshiki Island (Himenoura Group) in Satsumasendai City, which is known as a “treasure island of fossils.”

The Discovery in July 2022

In the midst of an intensive excavation survey, Yuka Miyake, who was serving as a city curator at the time (currently a researcher at the Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo), dug up a strange bone fossil.

The Appraisal in 2023

During investigations at the Koshiki Museum, Dr. Takuya Konishi, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati in the US and a world-renowned authority, visited the island.
From the shape of the protrusions and the curve of the bone, he recognized that it closely resembled the “quadrate bone” that makes up the jaw joint of mosasaurs. As a result of joint research, it was concluded that there is a very high possibility it is Selmasaurus.

Furthermore, while there had been three cases of mosasaur fossil discoveries in Kyushu until now, they were all “teeth.”
Finding a “bone other than a tooth (quadrate bone)” like this time is a first for Kyushu, making it an epoch-making event in that regard as well.

Voices of Joy from the Discoverer and Expert

Associate Professor Takuya Konishi

“Because it came out of southwestern Japan, far from North America, we can now say it wouldn’t be strange for it to come out of anywhere else. It’s a discovery that will help us better understand its distribution and evolutionary history.”

Ms. Yuka Miyake

“I am glad to have been able to make a global contribution. I look forward to future discoveries that can only be understood on Koshiki Island.”

Future Prospects: Special Exhibition at the Koshiki Museum

This historic quadrate bone fossil of Selmasaurus is on special exhibition at the “Koshiki Museum” in Satsumasendai City.

Director Shingo Omura expressed his hopes that it will serve as an opportunity to stimulate the curiosity of the next generation, stating, “I want many people, especially children, to know about it, and I hope they will visit Koshiki Island for their summer vacation independent research projects and experience dinosaurs. I hope they can feel the charm of dinosaurs (marine reptiles).”

Research to unravel the true forms of the kings that ruled the ancient seas will continue to be broadcast to the world from the “treasure island of fossils,” Koshiki Island.

In February 2024, groundbreaking news that rewrites the history of dinosaur research in Japan was announced.
In Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture, a “lower jaw bone” of a large carnivorous dinosaur from the Tyrannosauridae family was discovered.

Previously, only “teeth” had been found in Japan, so this is the first time a “bone” has been confirmed.
Estimated to be 8 to 9 meters in length, this dinosaur is considered highly likely to be a new species that fills a gap in the evolutionary history of Asia.
In this article, we explain the details of this historic discovery and the surprising facts revealed by the fossil, such as the existence of “replacement teeth” identified via CT scans.

A Decade-Long Revelation! “Japan’s First Bone” Found in Black Rock

The setting of this discovery is Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture, where geological strata from the Late Cretaceous period (approximately 74 million years ago) are exposed.

Discovery in 2014 and Cleaning

The fossil itself was found in 2014 during a joint survey by the Goshoura Cretaceous Museum and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.
Initially, it was encased in black rock and was indistinguishable, even thought to be “fossilized wood,” but subsequent careful cleaning raised the possibility that it was a “significant fossil.”

Identity Revealed by CT Scan

CT surveys beginning in 2022 revealed the internal structure clearly.
The results showed that the lower jaws (dentaries) of a carnivorous dinosaur were preserved overlapping left and right.
In February 2024, it was finally concluded to be “Japan’s first lower jaw bone of a Tyrannosaurid.”

Proof of a Robust Hunter: Fossil Characteristics and “Replacement Teeth”

The discovered fossil (Specimen Number: GCM-VP750) bore characteristics unique to the Tyrannosauridae family.

Robustness and Tooth Cross-Section

The jaw bone is very thick, with a height of about 8 cm, indicating it possessed powerful biting force.
Additionally, the cross-section of the teeth is a “bulging oval,” which matches the definitive characteristic of Tyrannosaurids, known for crushing bone along with meat.

Not Permanent Teeth? Discovery of “Replacement Teeth”

Even more surprisingly, the formation of “replacement teeth”—teeth waiting to grow in next—was confirmed inside the jaw bone.
The state of preservation is extremely good, making it a treasure trove of information for understanding the ecology of that time.

8 to 9 Meters Long! Possibility of a “New Species” Filling the Asian Void

Apex of Japan’s Food Chain

The total length estimated from the jaw size is approximately 8 to 9 meters.
Although smaller than the largest T. rex (approx. 12 m), it was undoubtedly the apex predator in the Japanese ecosystem of that time.

The “Missing Link” in Asian Evolutionary History

Definitive fossil records of Tyrannosaurids in Asia from about 74 million years ago are extremely rare.
While diverse species are known in North America, information has been lacking in Asia.
Therefore, this fossil is considered highly likely to be a new species different from known ones.

Why is “Bone” Important, Not Just “Teeth”?

The reason this discovery is being hailed as “Japan’s first” lies in the fact that it was “bone” rather than “teeth.”

Teeth

Because they fall out easily, finding one does not necessarily mean the animal died at that location.

Bone (Jaw)

Since it is a part of the body and does not detach easily, it is highly likely that the dinosaur died and was buried at that spot.

In other words, there is a possibility that other parts of the skull or a full skeleton lie nearby, raising high expectations for future additional discoveries.

In Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, in southern China, a fossilized dinosaur baby (embryo) believed to be just on the verge of hatching was discovered in an exceptionally perfect state of preservation.

Unearthed from strata dating back approximately 72 to 66 million years ago (Late Cretaceous), this fossil revealed a baby dinosaur resting inside its egg in a “tucked posture,” much like modern birds.
In this article, we will provide a clear and easy-to-understand breakdown of “Baby Yingliang,” the discovery of the century published in the journal ‘iScience’ in 2021 that captured the attention of paleontologists worldwide, as well as the deep evolutionary relationship between dinosaurs and birds that it has brought to light.

Basic Information on the Miraculous Specimen “Baby Yingliang”

The Dramatic Discovery: Lying Dormant in a Storeroom for 10 Years

This dinosaur baby was identified as a member of the “oviraptorosaurs,” a group of toothless, feathered dinosaurs with parrot-like beaks.
It was named after the Yingliang Stone Nature History Museum, where the fossil is housed, but the story of its discovery is quite bizarre.

A Treasure Forgotten for 10 Years

The fossil itself was excavated in 2000 and acquired by the Yingliang Group, a Chinese stone mining company.
However, its true value went unrecognized, and it was kept in a “forgotten state” in a storeroom for about 10 years.

A Miraculous Rediscovery During Museum Construction

Later, as construction for the museum began, staff members were sorting and cataloging old boxes of fossils when they noticed bones inside a cracked egg, bringing it back into the light of day once more.

Exactly Like a Baby Bird! The Astonishing “Tucking Posture”

Because the bones of baby dinosaurs are incredibly small and fragile, it is exceedingly rare for them to be preserved perfectly as fossils.
Since most previously discovered fossils were disarticulated and scattered, this fossil is such a phenomenal specimen that experts marveled, “We have never seen anything like this.”

The Same “Tucked Posture” as Birds

As a result of analyzing digital reconstructions of the remaining skeleton, it was revealed that Baby Yingliang was in a tucked posture, “with its forelimbs placed on either side of its skull, its legs folded on the sides, its back curled along the eggshell, and its head pointing toward its abdomen.”

A Movement to Ensure Successful Hatching

In fact, this posture is almost entirely identical to that of “avian embryos a few days before hatching,” such as modern chickens.
When birds prepare to hatch, controlled by their central nervous system, they bend their bodies and tuck their heads under their right wing.
This is a crucial movement for a successful hatching.

Evidence Solidifying the Evolution from Dinosaurs to Birds

All modern birds are believed to have evolved directly from theropods (two-legged carnivorous dinosaurs).
While oviraptorosaurs are not their direct ancestors, they possessed traits extremely close to birds, such as parents brooding over their eggs to keep them warm.

Behaviors Already Acquired in the Age of Dinosaurs

Previously, it was thought that the pre-hatching tucking behavior was an “evolution unique to birds.”
However, this discovery revealed that the pre-hatching behaviors and postures seen in modern birds “most likely first evolved during the dinosaur stage, long before birds even existed.”
Experts in Japan have also highly praised the revelation that they were already avian-like inside the egg.

Conclusion and Future Research Prospects

Although praised by experts as “one of the most stunning and beautiful fossils ever seen,” parts of Baby Yingliang’s body remain encased in stone.

The research team plans to conduct further detailed investigations using cutting-edge technology, such as CT scanning, to extract the internal structure and the full picture of the skeleton.
Further fossil discoveries are eagerly awaited to prove whether this posture was unique to oviraptorosaurs or common among other dinosaurs.

Appearing across 70 million years of time, this tiny dinosaur baby quietly shares with us a precious page in the grand mystery of “the continuity of dinosaur birth and their evolution into birds.”

About 66 million years ago, a decisive event occurred that marked the end of the Cretaceous period.
A massive asteroid (meteorite) measuring about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) in diameter crashed off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, triggering global climate change that is believed to have wiped out approximately 75% of all plant and animal life on Earth, including the dinosaurs.

An extraordinary fossil site has been discovered in North Dakota, USA, perfectly preserving the forms of dinosaurs and diverse creatures that died in the exact moment of impact—on the very “day” this mass extinction began.

Capturing the Moment of the Asteroid Impact! The Chaotic Fossil Layer “Tanis”

Although “Tanis” is located some 3,000 kilometers (about 1,860 miles) away from the impact site on the Yucatan Peninsula (the Chicxulub crater), it suffered unimaginable devastation.

Ecosystem Destruction by a Massive Tsunami

The immense energy of the asteroid impact violently shook the continental plates, causing a massive earthquake.
Accompanying this, large-scale surges (about 9.1 meters or 30 feet high) were triggered in all bodies of water, rushing inland from the river mouths.

A Fossil Layer Where Terrestrial and Aquatic Life Mingle

As terrestrial and aquatic life were indiscriminately swallowed up, a chaotic fossil layer was formed at Tanis.
Burnt conifer trunks mixed with fish, the remains of small mammals, Triceratops skin, mosasaur bones, and pterosaur embryos still inside their eggs have been excavated one after another.

Robert DePalma from the University of Manchester in the UK, who led the excavation, expressed his awe at the incredible state of preservation: “It’s like looking at a scene from a movie. It makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to that era.”

Decisive Evidence! “Glass Spheres” Lodged in the Gills of Sturgeons

The key that convinced the research team that this geological layer represents “the exact day of the asteroid impact” lay in the fish fossils.

A Rain of Tektites (Glassy Spherules of Melted Rock)

Vaporized rock and dust, heated intensely by the asteroid impact, were blasted high into the sky. They cooled and solidified in the air, forming tiny glass spheres (tektites) about 1 millimeter in diameter, which then rained down violently on the land and water surfaces.

Asphyxiated Sturgeons

The gills of the fossilized sturgeons and paddlefish were found packed with these tektites, which they had swallowed along with the water.

Confirmation of Extraterrestrial Material

Particles recovered from fossilized tree resin (amber) were analyzed at a state-of-the-art X-ray facility, and the results showed that their chemical composition perfectly matched that of the asteroid impact in Mexico.
It was also confirmed that they were rich in “iridium,” a metal rare on Earth but common in asteroids.

A First in History? A Dinosaur Leg Killed “Instantly” by the Asteroid’s Impact

The most sensational discovery at Tanis is the fossilized “dinosaur leg,” complete with perfectly preserved scaly skin.
Through examination by Professor Paul Barrett, an expert in ornithischian dinosaurs, it was identified as belonging to a Thescelosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur measuring about 3 to 4 meters (9.8 to 13.1 feet) in length.

The Possibility of Instant Death from the Asteroid

The biggest shock brought by this fossil is its cause of death.
The leg itself was perfectly healthy, showing no signs of disease or missing parts that had been bitten off by another carnivorous animal.
However, the leg looked as if it had been “ripped off in an instant by some tremendous impact.”

The First Physical Evidence in History?

In other words, it is highly likely that this dinosaur had its leg torn off by the violent shockwaves and debris flows caused by the asteroid impact, resulting in “almost instant death.”
If true, this would be the first physical evidence in the history of paleontology of a “fossil of a dinosaur that died from the direct impact of the asteroid strike.”

The Scientific Community’s Reaction and Future Verification

The discovery at Tanis was made public in a US journal in 2019 and was even broadcast in a BBC documentary, causing a massive stir worldwide.
However, some cautious voices have also been raised from within the scientific community.

Professor Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh in the UK acknowledges the fish that swallowed the glass spheres as evidence, but remains skeptical about whether the dinosaur leg truly belongs to a creature that died “on that specific day.”
He points out, “It’s possible that a fossil buried in the ground after dying years before the impact was dug up by the violent waves and debris flows of that day, and then reburied, making it look as though it died at the same time.”

Such significant discoveries need to be published as peer-reviewed papers in academic journals and undergo evaluation by independent experts.
The excavation team has promised to present even more evidence in the future, and attention is focused on the outcome of the scientific community’s verification process.

Summary

The fossil site unearthed at Tanis in North Dakota is a time capsule that froze the extremely brief “moment of extinction”—lasting just a few tens of minutes to a few hours—that marked the end of the Mesozoic Era.

Glass spheres packed into the gills of sturgeons, and the leg of a Thescelosaurus seemingly ripped off by the impact of the asteroid.
If all of these fossils are truly victims of that “tragic day 66 million years ago,” it means we have finally obtained a way to directly witness the end of the age of the dinosaurs.

A fossil is the preserved remains (like bones) or traces (like footprints) of ancient organisms buried within geological layers.
Derived from the Latin word meaning “to dig out,” fossils are excavated from deep within the earth, but the preservation of organic remains as a fossil is nothing short of a miracle.
The dinosaur skeletons displayed in museums are truly “miraculous specimens” that have persisted through tens or even hundreds of millions of years.
It is estimated that the fossilization of dinosaur bones takes at least 10 million years.

Three Absolute Requirements for Fossil Formation

Absolute Requirements for Fossil Formation

For remains to become fossils, a specific set of environmental conditions is indispensable.
Although there are various ways fossils can form, the following three conditions are key:

1. Rapid Burial (Being Quickly Covered by Sediment)

The first essential step for fossil formation is for the remains to be rapidly buried by sediment, such as mud or soil.

Importance

Rapid burial prevents the remains from being scattered, or broken down by scavengers and bacteria.
This is why remains that sank into mud, died in rivers or lakes, or were quickly covered are more likely to be preserved.
Being in a watery environment where sediment accumulates easily is highly conducive to fossil preservation.

2. Oxygen Deprivation (Preventing Decomposition)

When remains are exposed to oxygen, decomposition by bacteria accelerates.

Ideal Environment

Cutting off oxygen slows down decomposition and preserves soft tissues.
This commonly occurs in low-oxygen environments, such as underwater or deep in the mud, and is a crucial factor in keeping fossils in good condition.
In fine, muddy deposits, bones are more likely to be preserved without being scattered.

3. Appropriate Conditions (Suitable Chemical Environment)

For a fossil to form and be preserved, the chemical conditions must be suitable over a long period.

Conditions

Key factors include low temperature, appropriate pressure, and a surrounding chemical composition that does not dissolve the bones or shells.
When these conditions are met, the remains are slowly replaced by minerals over vast stretches of time.

The General Process of Fossil Formation

Fossilization progresses miraculously, starting with “death and burial,” moving through “decomposition of soft tissues,” “preservation or replacement of hard tissues,” and finally “formation and compression of geological layers.”

General Process of Fossil Formation

1. Fossilization (Permineralization)

The skeleton buried in sediment changes over millions of years.
Mineral components (such as calcium carbonate or phosphate) dissolved from the surrounding soil slowly seep into the bone, gradually replacing the original organic components.
This phenomenon is called permineralization (or replacement), and it results in the bone itself becoming a hard, rock-like substance.

Parts Preserved

Harder parts like bones, teeth, claws, and shells tend to fossilize more easily.
Tooth fossils, in particular, are discovered more often than bones.
Even fragile parts can be miraculously preserved if they are placed in a special environment where they are not decomposed by bacteria.

2. Solidification and Exposure

As sediment continues to accumulate, the pressure on the bone becomes considerable, fully solidifying the fossil into rock.
The fossilized skeleton, buried deep within the geological layers, eventually becomes exposed on the surface due to tectonic shifts or erosion.
It is only after this exposure that the fossil is finally discovered, excavated, and studied by humans, bringing it back to the modern world.

The Story Fossils Tell: Understanding Dinosaur Ecology from Fossil Types

Dinosaur fossils are extremely valuable artifacts that tell a story about the life and ecology of the dinosaurs.
Dinosaur fossils are found not only as remains but also as traces, such as footprints, eggs, and coprolites (fossilized dung).

Bone and Teeth Fossils

Bone and Teeth Fossils

These are typically found in sedimentary rock, such as shale.

Articulated Fossils

Bones connected in the same arrangement as they were in life provide detailed information on joint mobility, injuries, and diseases.

Biocoenoses

This refers to a state where an entire skeleton is found along with fossils of the surrounding flora and fauna, offering valuable clues to the environment and diet of the time.

Types of Trace Fossils

Footprint Fossils (Ichnofossils)

Footprint Fossils

These are the tracks left by dinosaurs walking or running that have turned into rock. They are an important source of information for understanding dinosaur behavior patterns and herd structure.

Egg Fossils

Egg Fossils

These preserve the eggshell and sometimes internal structures, providing information on dinosaur reproductive strategies and parenting behavior.

Dung Fossils (Coprolites)

Dung Fossils (Coprolites)

These are fossilized dinosaur feces that can contain traces of food and undigested bone fragments, which helps in understanding the dinosaur’s diet and digestive function.

The reason fossils are “precious” lies in their rarity, as they survived the complex process of fossilization to be passed down to the modern world.

From Excavation to Exhibition: The Little-Known Preparation Process

Fossil Preparation Work

Fossils freshly excavated from the ground are covered in rock and require a meticulous preparation process before they can be used for display or research.
This is a quiet, but highly delicate and essential job carried out by experts.

Rock Removal

Chisels, hammers, and sometimes acid are used to carefully remove the surrounding rock without damaging the fossil.

Strengthening and Preservation

To protect fragile fossils, they are treated with special adhesives or plastics to strengthen them, making them suitable for permanent preservation.

Final Finishing

Microscopes and various specialized tools, such as drills and air-abrasive machines, are used to bring the fossil to its best possible state.

It is only after this painstaking process that the excavated fossil becomes a valuable research specimen that meets the human eye.