Researchers discovered new remains during excavations at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta.
The fossil was first discovered duringexploration work in 2021. But only this year, scientists have begun full-fledged excavations. So far managed to open most of the animal's tail and its right hind leg. However, the entire skeleton is oriented in such a way that complete dinosaur remains can be hidden deeper in the hill.
Reconstructed appearance of one of the species of hydrosaurus - Hadrosaurus foulkii. Image: Audrey.m.horn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Researchers believe more will be neededseveral months or even seasons of work to fully discover a dinosaur fossil. But now we can say that it is a rare find.
Although remains are often found in this area of Canadahydrosaurs, as a rule, they represent only separate parts of the skeleton. In this case, not only bones were preserved, but also soft tissue. During the excavation process, researchers discovered that large areas of the exposed skeleton were covered with fossilized skin. The researchers note that it is shaped like the surface of a basketball. This means there could be even more fossilized skin and other soft tissue hidden within the rock.
A close up of a piece of bone with remains of petrified skin. Image: University of Reading
If the hypothesis is confirmed, archaeologists will receivethe most accurate representation of the real appearance of these dinosaurs. Hydrosaurs are a large family of herbivorous dinosaurs common during the Cretaceous. Although scientists were able to establish that the find belongs to this family, the exact appearance remains a mystery.
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On the cover: archaeologists at the excavation site. Image: University of Reading