Scientists discovered a fossil of a dome-headed dinosaur in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. The new species, named Zavacephale rinpoche, lived 108 million years ago and is the earliest known pachycephalosaur.
BulletsIn
- Fossil found in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
- Belongs to new species Zavacephale rinpoche
- Dinosaur lived about 108 million years ago
- Oldest known member of pachycephalosaur group
- Juvenile fossil, about 1 metre long, under 6 kg
- Skull dome made of single bone, with spikes and nodes
- Dome’s purpose debated: mating, social display, head-butting
- Discovery predates other fossils by 15 million years
- Fossil shows gastroliths, stones used to grind plants
- Environment had lakes, turtles, fish, early crocodile relatives




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