Scientists have made a unique discovery – they have found fossilized mummies of dinosaurs whose herd perished due to a severe drought approximately 66 million years ago. The Edmontosaurus annectens fossils have preserved numerous structural details of these ancient creatures: patches of skin, spines, and even the first hooves in the history of reptiles.
As reported by Science Alert, the researchers discovered something never before observed in two specimens.
The first specimen belonged to a young dinosaur, approximately two years old. It is the only large dinosaur whose body has been preserved almost entirely – with soft tissue and the characteristic crest running along the neck and spine.
The second specimen was an older individual – between five and eight years old. A whole line of small spines, extending from the hips to the tip of the tail, remained on its body. Scientists had noticed similar structures before, but had never seen them in their entirety.
Most surprising of all, however, was the fact that the toes of Edmontosaurus’s hind limbs were covered with hooves. This was the first confirmation of the existence of hooves not only in dinosaurs but in reptiles in general. These finds are estimated to be 66-69 million years old, making them the oldest known hooves of any animal.
As a reminder, scientists have revealed what Jesus Christ looked like.
To be continued…
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