A rare, near-complete dinosaur skull is set to captivate visitors at the National Museum of Natural History, but its stay will be brief. This remarkable fossil, discovered in 2024, belongs to a Pachycephalosaurus, a dome-headed herbivore from the Cretaceous Period, approximately 67 million years ago. Matthew Carrano, research geologist and curator of dinosauria at the museum, shared insights with ABC News. The fossil offers a glimpse into the dinosaurs' final 1.5 million years before an asteroid's impact led to their extinction. The skull's significance lies in its rarity; it constitutes less than 1% of the fossils found in the Hell Creek Formation, according to the Smithsonian. Only about three such fossils exist globally, in stark contrast to the abundance of Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, which number ten times more. Carrano highlighted the skull's near-completeness, containing bones never seen before in their original positions, making it a scientifically invaluable find. Pachycephalosaurus, known for their distinctive, bowling-ball-like heads, stood about 15 to 20 feet tall and measured 3 feet long. The skull's acquisition was made possible by philanthropists Eric and Wendy Schmidt, who donated it to the museum. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine the fossil up close, marveling at its delicate tooth structure, which is remarkably preserved. Paleontologists plan to conduct a CT scan to explore the internal structures within the skull, shedding light on the Pachycephalosaurus' brain cavity. Despite the rarity of Pachycephalosaurus fossils, Carrano expresses optimism about future discoveries, as paleontologists are increasingly interested in understanding these dinosaurs better.
