|
|
TRICERATOPS DINOSAUR CAUDAL VERTEBRA BONE Hell Creek Formation, South Dakota, U.S.A. LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 72 - 65 million years ago Collected from the famous Hell Creek Formation of Northwestern U.S.A., this is a superb caudal vertebra from the famous Triceratops horridus dinosaur. Its state of completeness and preservation is RARE with only 1% restoration limited strictly to the transverse processes. The long dorsal process and neural opening are complete and preserved in the finest preservation. Some distortion in the symmetry is due to either pathological defects in the dinosaur when it was alive or from the pressure of the overburden during the fossilization process. Bone detail is amazing and small portions of anatomy that are usually missing are very well seen on this fine example. Rarely is a dinosaur vertebra this complete so this is an excellent candidate for a collection of quality specimens. A clear protective chemical hardener has been applied to protect the bone. This is an incredibly well-preserved vertebra and is in much finer condition that most of any type of dinosaur bones we have seen. The actual bone is much better in person than the images appear. Legally collected dinosaur bone fossils from the U.S.A. of this quality are fast becoming rare! Many
of the vertebra on the market require considerable restoration and
despite some of their large impressive appearances, even entire spines
(processes) are either recreated out of putty or an unrelated spine from
ANOTHER vertebra is attached and blended to appear correct. We
have seen some true butchery and trickery in the fossil marketplace not
only in dinosaur bones but in all fossil bones (mammals included). One
Ebay seller was observed selling numerous Triceratops horns where
each horn is cleverly assembled from sections of many different
Triceratops creatures to appear as one whole horn. There is a
great deal of hidden work going on in the fossil business (very
few understand how and regularly prepare fossils, ESPECIALLY DEALERS!) so it is
critical for you the buyer, to be fully aware and only deal with
reputable dealers with CONSIDERABLE paleontological preparation
experience, not
part-time hobby-cealers who have nothing to lose should their game be
discovered. As with every specimen we sell, we fully and
unconditionally guarantee not only for the specimen to be authentic and
as described, but to be properly identified. Horned ceratopians were extravagantly well-armored in their head region. Their skulls were heavy and armed with long, pointed horns. Extending off to the rear was a great sheet of heavy bone called the "frill". On some horned ceratopians, this was a solid sheet and likely served as a shield to protect the neck and even shoulders. On other types, the frill was an open framework of bone that was covered with skin, possibly acting as a heat shield or for social display. The edge of the frill on most horned ceratopians was armored with blunt, triangular spikes called epoccipitals. The Torosaurus latus is known to have one of the largest skulls known of any animal that ever lived on land. Torosaurus skulls have been known to reach 8.5 feet in length! All horned ceratopians were herbivores. Triceratops is the most famous of the great horned dinosaurs. This plant-eating group has been found in the fossil record in greater abundance than all the other varieties. A full grown Triceratops is estimated to have weighed 11 tons, heavier than a modern African bull elephant. Its skull was 6.5 feet long with a pair of brow horns that exceeded 3 feet in length. RARE IN THIS QUALITY - SPECTACULAR DINOSAUR VERTEBRA FROM ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS OF DINOSAURS! 10.5" long $1845 DB19-005 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
|
THE HELL CREEK FORMATION OF NORTHWESTERN U.S.A. |
|
1845 |
