Scientists study one of the best preserved dinosaurs, it still has skin on its face

Photo: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images

Regularly the remains of dinosaurs found by archaeologists consist of bones of these extinct animals, but recently one of the best preserved dinosaurs was analyzed.

The fossil of a specimen of Borealopelta markmitchelli very well preserved It was recently analyzed by scientists revealing secrets about the time and environment in which it lived.

According to an article published by Ars Technica, this armored dinosaur is superbly preserved. Nearly the entire animal—the skin, the armor that covers its skin, the spikes along its side, most of its body and legs, even its face—survived fossilization.

Since their remains were discovered, the scientists have studied its anatomy, its armor and even what it ate in its last days, discovering new and unexpected knowledge about an animal that became extinct approximately 100 million years ago.

A terrestrial dinosaur found on the seabed

Although Borealopelta markmitchelli was a terrestrial dinosaur, the remains in question were found on the seabed.

The scientists who found it they suspect that his body may have been dragged from a river to the sea in a flood; she may have remained on the surface face down for a few days before sinking to the ocean depths.

As a scientist told Ars Technica, the dinosaur sank in waters of more than 50 meterswhere it was preserved thanks to the low temperatures and a particular mineral called glauconite, which is a green phosphate mineral.

Specialists also believe that the place and position in which his body fell also helped its extraordinary preservation, since the depth and the fact that it was upside down they discouraged the carrion of his corpse.

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