Last month, we posted an article about a new scientific paper providing more information on the remarkable early ankylosaur Spicomellus afer.  Researchers, including scientists from the University of Birmingham and the London Natural History Museum had published a paper describing more fossil material.  In collaboration with colleagues from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, (Fez, Morocco), the new study provided fresh insights into the extreme armour of this plant-eating dinosaur. As a result of this new research, a Spicomellus life reconstruction was created by artist Matthew Dempsey.

An anterior view of Spicomellus was included in our August blog post. However, the media release we received included two other Spicomellus images.  One image showed the dinosaur in lateral view, the other was a dorsal view. These images permit viewers to get a better idea of the proposed arrangement of the dermal armour.

A Spicomellus afer life reconstruction (lateral view). Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey.

Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey

To read Everything Dinosaur’s 2021 blog post about the discovery of Spicomellus afer: The World’s Oldest Ankylosaur and Africa’s First.

Everything Dinosaur’s recent article (August 2025) on the newly published scientific paper: Extreme Armour in the World’s Oldest Ankylosaur.

A Remarkable Spicomellus Life Reconstruction (S. afer)

The life reconstruction is a testament to the collaboration between a palaeoartist and scientists.  After carefully studying the fossils the research team works closely with an illustrator to create a life-like appearance of the animal. Some elements remain speculative. For example, fused caudal vertebrae forming a “handle” indicate a tail club weapon.  The appearance of the spikes making up the club are an interpretation by the artist creating the Spicomellus life reconstruction.

A dorsal view of the remarkable dermal armour associated with the bizarre early ankylosaur Spicomellus afer. Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey.

Picture credit: Matthew Dempsey

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We congratulate the whole team for their work on this early ankylosaur.  The Spicomellus artwork help to bring the fossils to life.  In addition, they reinforce the view that Africa’s first ankylosaur was an extremely strange creature.  Its discovery challenges assumptions about the evolution of the Thyreophora.”

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

In addition, Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the London Natural History Museum for the use of their images.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.