Not a bad look for 152 million years old.
German scientists might’ve made paleontological history after unearthing a “perfectly preserved” 152 million-year-old dinosaur fossil — which is believed to be the oldest specimen of the species ever discovered. The groundbreaking finding occurred in 2014, but was only recently documented in the journal Fossil Records.
“The specimen is a complete, articulated and exquisitely preserved skeleton of a small-sized individual,” scientists write in the paper describing the skeleton, which was unearthed near Painten, a small town in central Bavaria, Jam Press reported.
Accompanying pics show the rock-encased skeleton, which looks so intact it could be mistaken for a replica at a museum gift shop.
“Only a very small portion of the left mandible as well as of the left and right tibia is missing,” study authors described.Jam Press/Augustin et al
The bones belonged to Pterodactylus, the first described and named pterosaur, a species of flying reptile that dominated the skies for 160 million years from the Mesozoic Era to the cataclysmic Cretaceous extinction event 66 million years ago. This prehistoric predator — which boasted wingspans ranging from one to 12 meters in diameter — was first described in 1784 by the Italian naturalist Cosimo Alessandro Collin. It was believed to be an aquatic life form for 25 years until famed French naturalist Georges Cuvier revealed that the Pterodactylus was actually a species of flying reptile, Science Daily reported.
This particular skeleton, which belonged to a “sub-adult” individual, was particularly significant as it is thought to be around one million years older than previous Pterodactylus fossils.
Paleontologists spent more than 120 hours extracting the bones using pneumatic tools and needles. Once uncovered, the bones were analyzed by a research team comprised of scientists from the University of Tübingen and Dinosaurier Museum Altmühltal, both of which are in Germany.
The specimen is believed to be approximately 1 million years older than other pterodactylus.Jam Press/Augustin et al
Researchers were particularly amazed at the pristine condition of the fossils, especially given their age.
“Only a very small portion of the left mandible as well as of the left and right tibia is missing,” the study described. “Otherwise, the skeleton is nearly perfectly preserved with every bone present and in its roughly correct anatomical position.”
The researchers added, “The wings are folded with the right wing lying partly under the left one and partly under the body skeleton.”
Jam Press/Augustin et al
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This isn’t the first time a remarkably well-preserved dinosaur specimen has been uncovered of late.
In a “Jurassic Park”-esque discovery in 2021, scientists found a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo that could be the “missing link” to today’s birds.