Scientists Discovered This Massive 7,000-Pound Dinosaur Fossil With Skin Still Intact

Key Points:

• A 66-million-year-old Edmontosaurus fossil with preserved skin, nicknamed “Medusa,” was discovered in the North Dakota Badlands by a Winona State University team, making it one of the rarest dinosaur fossils due to its exceptional preservation.
• The fossil, which lived alongside Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex, includes fossilized skin and a largely articulated skeleton, offering unique insights into dinosaur biology and evolution beyond what skeletons alone can reveal.
• Extracting the 12-foot-long, 7,000-pound specimen from a cliff 85 feet high was challenging due to difficult terrain and limited resources, requiring careful coordination and effort.
• Despite missing its head, “Medusa” remains highly complete with a preserved spine, and will be housed at Winona State University for research, student training, and public education to enhance understanding of dinosaur ecosystems.
• Dr. Lee Beatty emphasized the discovery’s significance for both science and education, highlighting opportunities for hands-on fossil preparation and community engagement with Earth’s prehistoric history.