Researchers have made an intriguing discovery in eastern Wyoming, uncovering a pair of mummified dinosaurs that exhibit a unique form of preservation. Unlike the well-known wrapped mummies from ancient Egypt or those that are naturally preserved in harsh environments such as bogs or deserts, these dinosaur remains show a different approach to mummification.
The mummies, which have undergone fossilization of skin and soft tissues due to their age, provide scientists with valuable insights into the appearance of these ancient creatures. The excavation site, often referred to as the “mummy zone,” has yielded various dinosaur mummies over the past century, some of which were rapidly buried after death, while others met their end in water or arid conditions. Notably, a duck-billed dinosaur mummy discovered in 1908 originates from this same region.
In this latest study, researchers returned to the mummy zone and identified new finds, including a juvenile duck-billed dinosaur that died just a few years after its birth. “This is the first juvenile of a dinosaur that really is mummified,” stated Paul Sereno, a paleontologist at the University of Chicago involved in the study.
Interestingly, the newly discovered mummies appear to lack fossilized skin. Instead, they left behind impressions of their skin and scales on a hardened layer of clay, a process facilitated by microbial activity. This type of mummification has previously preserved other organisms, but scientists had not anticipated its occurrence on land.
According to Sereno, it is plausible that other mummies discovered at the site may have undergone similar preservation processes. The impressions left on the clay have enabled scientists to reconstruct a more vivid image of how these duck-billed dinosaurs may have looked in life, complete with details such as tail spikes and hooves.
The findings were published in the journal Science on Thursday. Gaining a better understanding of how dinosaur mummies are formed could assist researchers in locating additional specimens in the future. Mateusz Wosik, a paleontologist at Misericordia University, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the significance of searching for not only bones but also impressions of skin and soft tissues that could be overlooked or damaged.
The discovery of more mummies can lead to deeper insights into the growth and lifestyle of these prehistoric beings. “Every single time we find one, there”s such a treasure trove of information about these animals,” noted Stephanie Drumheller, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who also did not participate in the research.
