Everything Dinosaur Blog - Dinosaur Models

13 10, 2024

Remarkable Edmontosaurus Dinosaur Model Dioramas

By Mike|2024-10-15T08:14:13+01:00October 13th, 2024|Dinosaur Fans|0 Comments

Thank you Carl, for sending into Everything Dinosaur a couple of photographs of a diorama featuring Edmontosaurus dinosaur models. Carl had recently purchased the two Haolonggood Edmontosaurus figures and he wanted to display them alongside the larger, PNSO Zabad the Edmontosaurus model. These dinosaurs probably lived in herds. The prehistoric scene was created using several of the prehistoric plant models from the CollectA range. The composition is effective, the PNSO and Haolonggood models work well together.

A prehistoric scene featuring a trio of Edmontosaurus figures. The PNSO Edmontosaurus (Zabad) and the two Edmontosaurus figures from Haolonggood (Pei Xuan and Xiao Rang). Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

Edmontosaurus Dinosaur Models

The PNSO Zabad the Edmontosaurus dinosaur model measures 32.5 cm in length. It has a head height of around 12 cm. In contrast, the two Haolonggood hadrosaur figures are slightly smaller, They measure 27 cm long with a head height of approximately 8 cm. We are not aware of any declared scale for the PNSO figure. However, Haolonggood have declared a scale of 1:35 for their two Edmontosaurus models.

The Haolonggood Edmontosaurus pair. The brown-coloured Pei Xuan (top) and the predominantly green Xiao Rang (bottom).

View the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.

Model collector Carl explained that he wanted to create a group scene. The larger PNSO model could represent an adult Edmontosaurus, whilst the Haolonggood figures could represent subadult members of the herd.

A prehistoric scene featuring Edmontosaurus dinosaur models. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

He commented:

“I have a couple of photos of my two new Haolonggood Edmontosaurus figures. A little family unit, my PNSO Edmontosaurus and Haolonggood Edmontosaurus pair. An adult and two subadults – splendid.”

The Edmontosaurus Taxon

Edmontosaurus has been extensively researched. However, some of its anatomical features such as the presence of a comb of soft tissue on the top of the head, have only recently been identified. Currently, two species are assigned to this genus – E. annectens and E. regalis. The genus name reflects the fact that the first fossils of this dinosaur were discovered in southern Alberta. Edmonton is the capital of the province of Alberta. However, Edmontosaurus was both temporally and geographically widespread. Its fossils are known from Colorado to the far north of Alaska. Numerous duck-billed dinosaur taxa including Ugrunaaluk from Alaska are now regarded as synonyms of Edmontosaurus.

To read about the debate regarding the validity of the Ugrunaaluk taxon: Edmontosaurus and Ugrunaaluk – The Demise of a Hadrosaurid.

Bonebeds have yielded thousands of Edmontosaurus fossils. Remarkably, some specimens are regarded as “dinosaur mummies”. These specimens have revealed skin texture and other soft tissues that have been preserved. A study of one such specimen (NDGS 2000) suggests that this type of amazing fossil preservation might be more common than previously thought.

To read more about the unusual fossilisation process that might lead to mummified dinosaurs: Dinosaur Mummies – An Alternative Fossilisation Pathway.

Our thanks to Carl for sending in his photographs of his Edmontosaurus trio. We are always interested to see how collectors display their figures.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models.

12 10, 2024

Everything Dinosaur Recognises Helpful Local Chamber of Commerce

By Mike|2024-10-14T10:26:38+01:00October 12th, 2024|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|0 Comments

A great boost to our business! We have received our renewed membership certificate from the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. Everything Dinosaur supporting a local business network. We have an international customer base, but we also recognise the need to play an active part in our local business community.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur proudly holding the company’s 2024 South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce membership certificate. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur Members for Over a Decade

Having been a proud member for over 10 years, we recognise the invaluable support the Chamber provides to local businesses. Membership has not only connected us with a vibrant network of like-minded professionals but has also offered us essential resources and opportunities for growth. We have thousands of customers overseas. Thanks to the support from our local Chamber, we have been able to develop strong links with dinosaur fans and model collectors all over the world.

Through workshops, networking events, and collaborative initiatives, we’ve gained insights that have directly influenced our success and community engagement. We have been able to support students with their career development, offer work experience and we have learned so much about business. Team members have been able to share their knowledge of prehistoric animals too :).

We have even won awards for our customer service: Everything Dinosaur Wins Top Award for Customer Service.

Everything Dinosaur’s South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce (SCCCI) membership badge.

Supporting the Local Community

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are proud members of our local Chamber of Commerce. Our membership not only connects us with local businesses but also provides invaluable resources and support that help us thrive and grow in our community.”

A heartfelt thank you to the South Cheshire Chamber for their continued support! Here’s to many more years of collaboration and growth together!

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

11 10, 2024

New Haolonggood Argentinosaurus Models

By Mike|2024-10-11T08:18:09+01:00October 11th, 2024|Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models|0 Comments

So, the news about the introduction of the Haolonggood Argentinosaurus models has broken. These are amazing figures, and they are big and when we say big, we really mean huge. Each model measures around eight-five centimetres in length. The head height is fifty centimetres. In imperial measurements, these enormous models are over thirty-three inches long with a head height of nearly twenty inches. These most certainly are impressive replicas of Argentinosaurus huinculensis!

Haolonggood sent us an image of their current sauropod models. We added the annotation so, you can see how big the Argentinosaurus model is.

A size comparison between Haolonggood sauropods. Picture credit: Haolonggood with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Haolonggood with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

The Haolonggood Argentinosaurus Models

Four models are planned. They are the same sculpt but different colour schemes.

HLG-129 (predominately grey)
HLG-130 (predominately brown)
HLG-131 (predominately green)
001 – limited-edition figure (purple hue)

These figures will be supplied with a complimentary 1:35 scale Huayangosaurus, playing/collector cards and 5 posters.

The four Haolonggood Argentinosaurus models.

The four Argentinosaurus models from Haolonggood.

To view the range of Haolonggood models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“These models are stunning! However, they are extremely large, collectors will have to make quite a bit of space on their shelves to accommodate one of these sauropod figures.”

The box dimensions are approximately 98 x 44 x 21 cm. We estimate shipping weight will be about 9 kilos. However, the volumetric weight prices charged by the shipping/delivery companies are going to make shipping expensive. Our advice is to be careful when buying direct from China. Shipping costs are likely to be high and cartons of this size may attract additional duties and taxes.

Good news for UK customers is that shipping would be £7.99 GBP (we think). As for our global customers, we can send this model out to collectors around the world including the USA and Europe. Customers in Europe can relax, our parcels are sent out delivery duty paid and there will be no extra VAT due.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models.

A Free Huayangosaurus Figure

Accesories supplied with Haolonggood Argentinosaurus models.

The Haolonggood Argentinosaurus models come with a range of accessories.

Each of the first batch of Haolonggood Argentinosaurus models will be supplied with a free Huayangosaurus figure. In addition, there are playing/collector cards and five posters included.

Mike confirmed that only the first batch of Haolonggood Argentinosaurus figures would be supplied with the accessories.

For further information on these exciting new figures and to contact Everything Dinosaur to reserve a model: Email Everything Dinosaur.

10 10, 2024

Important News in the Science of Avoiding Asteroid Impacts

By Mike|2024-10-09T14:26:00+01:00October 10th, 2024|Main Page|0 Comments

This week, despite the approach of hurricane Milton towards Florida, the spacecraft HERA launched from Cape Canaveral. It is heading towards the asteroids Didymos and Dimorphos. The aim is to measure the consequences of an impact on Dimorphos by NASA’s DART spacecraft. DART stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test. This was the first-ever mission dedicated to investigating and demonstrating one method of asteroid deflection by changing an asteroid’s motion in space through a kinetic impact. Asteroid impacts with Earth are rare but they can have devastating consequences. For example, around sixty-six million years ago an object from space struck the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This led to the K-Pg extinction event (or at least it played a significant role in the mass extinction event). Non-avian dinosaurs became extinct.

HERA is on its way to the two asteroids to determine precisely how the orbital period and shape of the asteroids have changed after the impact with DART.

Asteroid impact management via deflection.

HERA sent to investigate the impact consequences of DART on the small asteroid Dimorphos that orbits the larger asteroid Didymos. These two missions are part of an on-going project to develop the ability to avoid planetary asteroid impacts. Picture credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

Picture credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

To read an earlier blog post about the search for the bolide that lead to a mass extinction event: Where Did the Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Come From?

Asteroid Impact Management by Deflection

The DART spacecraft collided with Dimorphos on the 26th of September 2022. It was travelling at over 3.7 miles per second (6 kilometres per second). The nearly head-on collision has shortened the time it takes the small asteroid moonlet to orbit the much larger Didymos by thirty-three minutes. The goal of the DART project was to influence the orbital period of both asteroids around each other. HERA has now been sent on a two-year journey to the double asteroid to study how exactly the orbital period and shape of the asteroids have changed over a six-month period.

Researchers from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin were involved in both the DART and HERA projects. The HERA mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) is now tasked with answering questions such as did an impact crater form on Dimorphos? Was the entire asteroid altered? What does the impact tell us about the constituents of these two bolides?

HERA will aim to create a detailed map of the surface and internal structure of the moonlet Dimorphos using high-resolution visual, laser-based, and radar data.

Ultimately, the objective is to develop the ability to deflect the trajectory of space objects. If this can be done, then collisions with Earth can be avoided.

If only the Dinosauria had developed such a technology to avoid asteroid impacts…

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

9 10, 2024

Top Tips for Easy On-line Shopping This Festive Season

By Mike|2024-10-09T06:13:56+01:00October 9th, 2024|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur is approaching its third decade of being in business. Our little business has developed a formidable reputation for customer service and for providing sensible purchasing advice. The other day, we were asked for our top tips when it comes to shopping on-line during the run up to the festive season. This got us thinking. Normally, we are providing information to customers about prehistoric animal models and dinosaur toys. However, we are always up for a challenge, and we prepared a short list of our top tips.

Sharing a passion for dinosaur toys – Sue and Mike from Everything Dinosaur. Can we provide some advice about on-line shopping?

The Joys of Dinosaur Toys – Our Top Tips for On-line Shopping

Start early!

It is never too early to start shopping for a special occasion. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding global logistics at the moment. Our advice is to begin your shopping early, after all, you don’t want items to sell out and for your loved ones to miss out.

Make a List

Start by creating a list of presents you want to buy. This approach keeps you organised and focused. It also prevents impulse purchases. Even those tempting ones that you can barely resist but keep disciplined and stick to your list.

Set a Budget

Work out your spending limit. Sticking to a budget helps you avoid overspending. Budgeting helps keep your finances healthy.

Check Customer Reviews and Comments

Check Customer Reviews and Feedback

Read customer reviews to assess product quality and seller reliability. This practice can save you from potential disappointments. Look for Feefo reviews or similar tools that provide genuine and verified customer feedback. Websites can post up fake reviews. They can be difficult to spot. However, independent review companies post up only genuine feedback and comments from actual purchasers.

Genuine Feefo customer reviews about dinosaur toys.

Look for independent customer reviews such as those from Feefo. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur has received thousands of reviews. Reviews are published on the company’s website, and they are helpful and informative. In addition, Everything Dinosaur has won several awards for its excellent customer service.

Top customer service award for Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur Wins Top Customer Service Award (2024).

Plan for Shipping Times

Please keep in mind shipping times. The recommending posting date for most international surface mail services for the festive season has already passed. During the holiday season delivery networks are going to become very congested. We recommend that you shop early to ensure gifts arrive on time for the big day. We supply lots of dinosaur toys to children, we do all we can to ensure a swift despatch and a speedy delivery.

Stay Safe and Secure

Take care when shopping on-line. Remember the old adage – “if it sounds to good too be true, it probably isn’t true”. Always shop from reputable sites and use secure payment methods. Look for “https://” in the URL to protect your information. If unsure, send the company an email, or give them a ring. Contact details should be clearly displayed and a chat with team members can help to put your mind at ease.

With these tips, you’ll prepare to tackle your holiday shopping with ease! Happy shopping!

If you need any advice about purchasing for the young palaeontologists in your family, you are welcome to email us: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

8 10, 2024

Kind Words About Customer Service from the USA

By Mike|2024-10-08T21:44:15+01:00October 8th, 2024|Rebor Models and Figures|0 Comments

A prehistoric animal model collector based in the USA has praised the recently introduced Rebor Zombie T. rex model. At Everything Dinosaur, we receive lots of customer comments and feedback. We appreciate all the comments and reviews that we receive. Thousands of Everything Dinosaur reviews have been published by the independent company rating site Feefo. In addition, there are nearly two thousand customer reviews on our own website: Everything Dinosaur.

Furthermore, we have hundreds of reviews on Google. However, whilst we read every comment received, sometimes we get such a delightful message from a customer that we feature it on our social media pages. For example, we recently received some lovely feedback from one of our customers in America.

The Rebor Zombie T. rex Cannibal Corpse in the jungle colour scheme is commented upon by an American prehistoric animal figure collector. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The reviewer stated:

“WOW!!! If you love dinosaurs and zombies, pick up this Rebor zombie rex!!! It looks so beautifully horrifying this is a must buy. The model arrived SO fast. It shipped from the UK and got to me in Minnesota, USA in no time. So lovingly packaged. I will most definitely make my dinosaur purchases through this website.”

What a wonderful and most thoughtful comment.

Praise for the Rebor Zombie T. rex “Jungle” Figure

The Rebor T. rex figure in the jungle colour scheme is one of two zombie models recently introduced. Both figures have been praised by collectors and dinosaur fans. Moreover, we have shared customer comments with the manufacturer. It is helpful for the manufacturer to receive such positive affirmation.

Rebor Zombie T. rex figures (Jungle and Plain).

What an amazing pair of zombie dinosaurs! The Rebor Zombie T. rex Cannibal Corpse Jungle (left) and the Plain colour variant (right). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Rebor models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Rebor Figures and Models.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“What a very generous and kind review. We appreciate the work that Rebor put into creating the pair of zombie dinosaurs and it is great to receive such lovely feedback about the model and our customer service.”

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website to read customer reviews: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

7 10, 2024

New Haolonggood Camarasaurus Figures Coming into Stock

By Mike|2024-10-06T12:26:46+01:00October 7th, 2024|Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Models|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members are expecting to hear news of their latest shipment of Haolonggood dinosaur models. The vessel carrying our shipment should be docking at the port this week. We should be getting these exciting new figures delivered to our warehouse in about seven days or so. Perhaps they will arrive sooner. The shipment contains several new Haolonggood scale models including the Haolonggood Camarasaurus models.

New for 2024, two Haolonggood Camarasaurus models.

The new for 2024 Haolonggood Camarasaurus models. Peng Qi is on the left in the photograph and Han Tao is on the right.

Two New Haolonggood Camarasaurus Models

The two, new for late 2024 Haolonggood Camarasaurus models will be in stock at Everything Dinosaur soon. These dinosaurs measure around forty-five centimetres in length. The head height is twenty-one centimetres. Haolonggood has a declared a scale of 1:35 for their Camarasaurus figures. Peng Qi is the name of the predominantly green coloured model, whilst Han Tao is the name of the brown coloured Camarasaurus.

To view the range of Haolonggood figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Sue and I are looking forward to the arrival of these two new Camarasaurus replicas. In total, we have ten new Haolonggood figures arriving. In addition, we will be stocking their popular Spinosaurus models for the first time.”

Two beautiful 1:35 scale Camarasaurus dinosaur models. The green coloured figure is known as Peng Qi, whilst the brown coloured model on the right is called Han Tao. Each model measures 45 cm long and the head height is approximately 21 cm.

The Camarasaurus Genus

Fossils of this sauropod are known from the Morrison Formation of the western United States. An enormous amount of Camarasaurus fossil material has been found. It is regarded as the most abundant sauropod known to date from the Morrison. Its fossils are associated with a number of Morrison Formation members.

The Camarasaurus genus currently contains four valid species. Camarasaurus lentus, Camarasaurus grandis, Camarasaurus lewisi and the type species Camarasaurus supremus. The largest species and geologically the youngest is C. supremus. Palaeontologists have estimated that this plant-eating dinosaur measured over twenty metres in length. The fossils of Camarasaurus supremus are associated with the youngest member of the Morrison Formation – the Brushy Basin Member.

It was named and scientifically described by the American palaeontologist Edward Drinker Cope (1877). The scientific description of the Camarasaurus genus occurred at the height of the infamous “bone wars” between Cope and his bitter rival Othniel Charles Marsh.

Customers who purchase the Haolonggood Camarasaurus models will be sent a free Everything Dinosaur Camarasaurus fact sheet.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

6 10, 2024

The Importance of Tidying Up a Website: A Focus on Dinosaur Toys

By Mike|2024-10-06T09:53:44+01:00October 6th, 2024|Everything Dinosaur News and Updates|0 Comments

In the competitive world of e-commerce, maintaining a clutter-free website is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. This is especially true for niche markets, such as dinosaur toys. When you tidy up your website and remove out-of-production or retired items, you create a more streamlined shopping experience. Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been carefully checking the site. New updates are planned and prior to their implementation, retired items, no longer available have been removed.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur updating website information on dinosaur toys.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur updating website information and checking product details. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

New Stock of Dinosaur Toys Due This Month

We are going to have a busy October. This month, we are expecting deliveries from PNSO, Haolonggood and Beasts of the Mesozoic. More stocks of prehistoric plush and dinosaur toys are also due to arrive. Prior to their arrival, time was spent this week checking the website’s functionality. It’s all about giving visitors a good experience.

A clean and tidy website enhances the user experience. Shoppers can easily find the dinosaur toys and other items they are interested in. Most purchases are undertaken in less than two minutes. An efficient, well laid out website helps customers.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur and Dinosaur Toys.

Tidying up your website reflects your company’s commitment to quality. When customers see that you care about them, they are more likely to trust your brand and return for future purchases. We have successfully completed the tidying up of the website and optimised it for our customers.

In summary, regularly updating your website by removing retired items, particularly in niche markets like dinosaur toys, is essential. It enhances user experience, improves search engine results, and builds brand trust—key factors for success in today’s digital marketplace.

To enquire about a prehistoric animal model or indeed any part of our huge inventory of dinosaur toys: Email Everything Dinosaur.

5 10, 2024

Archaeologists Win Funding to Undertake New Research

By Mike|2024-10-06T07:46:20+01:00October 5th, 2024|Teaching|0 Comments

Archaeologists based at the University of Bradford have been awarded £720,000 GBP ($945,000 USD) in new funds to purchase an advanced mobile laboratory. This state-of-the-art facility can be deployed virtually anywhere in the world. The award comes from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It will help to give academics the ability to investigate previously unexplored landscapes, such as wetlands and the inter-tidal zone.

This new facility could be employed to help researchers learn more about the ancient Stone Age settlements that once existed in the now submerged Doggerland. The equipment considered for purchase includes portable seismic profiling systems and sophisticated drones able to map in three dimensions. A remotely operated vehicle is also likely to be put at the disposal of the scientists.

University of Bradford archaeologists carrying out offshore survey in Kaštela Bay, near Split, off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia.

Archaeologists from the University of Bradford carrying out offshore survey in Kaštela Bay, near Split, off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Picture credit: University of Bradford.

Picture credit: University of Bradford

Mobile Laboratory – Part of a National Conservation Project

The research equipment funding is part of RICHeS (Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science). In total, about £80 million ($105 million USD) has been set aside for a national network of conservation and heritage projects. The University of Bradford has already benefitted from similar grants. For example, some of the funds received were used to create Virtual Bradford, the UK’s first digital twin city. Furthermore, the University has been at the forefront of a research project exploring prehistoric landscapes.

To read more about this funding: Prehistoric Landscapes Research Project Receives Funding Boost.

Commenting on the latest funding award, Dr Cathy Batt, the Principal Investigator and Head of the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences (University of Bradford), stated:

“RICHeS will not only transform Bradford’s present capacity, but highlights the significance of research into archaeology and heritage nationally.”

Professor Chris Gaffney MBE, Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Bradford, added:

“This award is fantastic news, building on the long-term success in archaeological prospection at Bradford. It reflects our work on iconic landscapes such as Stonehenge and the Mesolithic environment beneath the North Sea. We are delighted that this award will stimulate and support research in new areas, particularly by students and early career researchers.”

From Land to Sea

From Land to Sea a mobile facility for surveying and prospecting is one of thirty projects to receive RICHeS funding. It will be based at the University of Bradford, and it will underpin a step-change in understanding prehistoric landscapes. The facility will combine new technology and expertise and use easily transportable equipment in a wide range of environments, both in the UK and internationally. It will let researchers survey on land, in shallow water and near-coastal areas.

Mobile laboratory funding helps archaeologists.

An archaeologist undertaking a geophysical survey looking for early Viking settlements. Picture credit: University of Bradford.

Picture credit: University of Bradford

The mobile laboratory aims to offer flexible and portable technologies. These will allow researchers to examine and understand landscapes in terrestrial, wetland and marine environments. Users of the facility will be able to quickly react to changing conditions driven by factors including climate change or infrastructure development.

Transforming Communities

The project has lofty ambitions. It hopes to transform the ability of researchers to answer questions about the development of early civilisations. The mobile laboratory will also promote engagement with the broader society and impacted communities.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bradford in the compilation of this article.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

4 10, 2024

Remarkable Pachyrhinosaurus Skull Fossil Carefully Removed from Pipestone Creek Bonebed

By Mike|2024-10-08T08:06:27+01:00October 4th, 2024|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories|0 Comments

Staff from the Philip J. Currie Museum (Wembley, Alberta, Canada) have safely removed a massive Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai fossil skull from the Pipestone Creek Bonebed. The specimen nicknamed “Big Sam” is estimated to weigh around two hundred and seventy kilograms (six hundred pounds). The famous Pipestone Creek site is one of the densest dinosaur fossil deposits known. The remains of hundreds of horned dinosaurs (P. lakustai) have been excavated. Parts of the site have around three hundred individual fossils per square metre. “Big Sam” is the first complete skull to have been found at the site for more than a decade,

“Big Sam” the Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai skull wrapped in plaster and burlap. Picture credit: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Picture credit: The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

The Pipestone Creek Bonebed

The Pipestone Creek bonebed deposits constitute part of the Wapiti Formation. These strata were laid down during the Late Cretaceous. This remarkable site has yielded an exceptional fauna dominated by abundant remains of the centrosaurine ceratopsian Pachyrhinosaurus. However, Lambeosaurus and Edmontosaurus along with ankylosaurs and theropods have also been recorded from the Wapiti Formation. The Pachyrhinosaurus skull measures over a metre in length. It is one of the largest ceratopsid skulls to have been found in northern Alberta.

Digging away at the sediment underneath the Pachyrhinosaurus skull fossil.

Digging away at the underlying sediment to prepare “Big Sam” for flipping prior to extraction. Picture credit: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Picture credit: The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

The fossil skull is preserved upside-down and with its head frill still attached, a preservation event that has not previously been documented. A field team from the Phillip J. Currie Museum have spent the last two summers meticulously mapping, excavating and jacketing the skull ready for transporting away from the quarry.

Inspecting the underside of the Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai skull jacket as “Big Sam” is prepared for transport. Picture credit: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Picture credit: The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai

Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai is one of three Pachyrhinosaurus species that have been named. It is the geologically oldest species, having lived around 73 million years ago (Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous). This species was formally named and described in 2008 (Currie, Langston and Tanke).

Pachyrhinosaurus was a smaller, older cousin of the Triceratops, with a big, bony protrusion on its nose instead of a nose horn.

The Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur model (LvFang) photographed in the studio. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dr Emily Bamforth, the curator at the Philip J. Currie Museum commented in an email sent to Everything Dinosaur:

“We were very excited to finally have ‘Big Sam’, the skull of a Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai we recently collect from the Pipestone Creek Bonebed, safe in our lab! I noticed that you do carry two models of P. lakustai, which is awesome. We actually use the Haolonggood Pachyrhinosaurus and Edmontosaurus for our outreach and education programmes here.”

To view the range of Haolonggood prehistoric animal figures in stock: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.

Extracting the Fossil Skull

Once the three hundred or so other bones had been carefully removed from the surrounding area, the Museum team began the process of turning the jacketed fossil over and securing it ready for its journey away from the dig site.

The "Big Sam" fossil skull is carefully winched onto a trolley for transport away from the quarry

“Big Sam” is carefully winched onto a trolley for transport away from the quarry. Picture credit: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Picture credit: The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

The huge block was slowly but surely winched up onto a trolley so that staff and volunteers could take this important fossil discovery to the preparation laboratory at the museum. Laboratory technicians will then begin the laborious process of removing the fossil bones from the matrix allowing “Big Sam” to be seen in its glory.

Transporting the Pachyrhinosaurus skull.

Team members carefully escort the Pachyrhinosaurus skull fossil away from the quarry. The fossil will spend many months in the preparation lab being cleaned and prepared. Picture credit: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Picture credit: The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

Members of the public can visit and see the skull undergoing cleaning and preparation. The objective is to eventually put this remarkable fossil specimen on display.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in the compilation of this article.