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In 2006 a new species of
Pachycephalosaur was
named,
it was called Dracorex hogwartsia after the fictional "Hogwarts
Academy" of author J. K. Rowling. This new species looks like the
Stygimoloch spinifer accept it lacks the dome! To the left is a picture
of the Dracorex skull now on exhibit at the Children's Museum.
The skull we are featuring is a new one. It contains the lower jaws and predentary, not present in the type specimen. This specimen (CKP-STD06) was crushed, but is still a very exciting specimen. The entire skull was covered in a hard iron rich matrix that took hundreds of hours to prepare. With the popularity of the "Harry Potter" books, this is a great way to introduce another generation to dinosaurs and our earths history.
The replica comes in 3 sections, the main head section and the two horn cores, since they were not attached to the skull any more. All parts of the skull are cast in a plastic resin, making them extremely tough. They are painted to match the original patina of the fossil. The detail of the teeth come out great in the replica. The horn cores are similar, but the left horn core has 3 large horns coming out and the right has only one.
Dimensions: The main skull section is about 20" long. The horn cores measure about 8" long each.
(Click on any image for a larger view)
The Replica: (CKP-STD06)
The replica was created by molding the original fossil in 4 sections. The two horn cores were not directly attached to the skull due to the crushing. It is amazing that they survived at all when you look how crushed the skull is. The skull was then divided into a main section containing everything below the orbit and up to the snout, and the elements above the orbit. Once poured, the two skull sections are re-attached, but the horn cores remain separate.
Image A is of the left side of the skull. This is the best side, showing a decent profile. The jugal has a really nice horn (osteoderm). You can see that all of the snout had become dissarticulated and piled up. It looks like all of the elements of the snout and nasal are present, including the pre maxilla and predentary! Image B is of the two horn cores. The one on the right is the left one and the one on the left is the right one. Image C is a close-up of the left maxilla and dentary. Image D is another left profile image. Image E is of the right side. This was exposed to the surface and experienced severe weathering. There are very few identifiable parts, but there is a tooth row! The teeth can be seen in Image F & G. Image H is a top-down view. Here, you can see the left squamosal shelf and you can really see how crushed the skull is.
This replica will make a great addition to any Late Cretaceous collection. It is small and looks very interesting. Katie Busch is working on drawing of what the skull might have looked like before it was crushed to help viewers to better understand what they are seeing.
Image A Image B Image C Image D
Image E Image F Image G Image H
The Original Fossil: (CKP-STD06)
The original fossil for this replica was collected on private land in North Eastern Montana. It comes from the upper Hell Creek Formation. The fossil was crushed, but contained the dentary area which was not present on the previous specimen. The replica is an exact copy of the original fossil in its original condition. This is the first Dracorex skull available to be purchased. The original fossil is currently being prepared further to separate the individual skull elements.
Preparation & Casting Process -- The preparation and casting was conducted by CK Preparations.
Preparation Images -- Below are some images of the skull during the preparation process.
During the preparation, a tooth from the front of the dentary was exposed! The tooth has the appearance of being serrated. This cannot be seen in this replica but may be available at a later date.
Images above are of the left dentary tooth with what appears to be
serrations. Further preparation will be conducted to learn more.
"Sandy", a Pachysephalosaur collected by Triebold Paleontology,
has a similar tooth pattern.
The skull we are featuring is a new one. It contains the lower jaws and predentary, not present in the type specimen. This specimen (CKP-STD06) was crushed, but is still a very exciting specimen. The entire skull was covered in a hard iron rich matrix that took hundreds of hours to prepare. With the popularity of the "Harry Potter" books, this is a great way to introduce another generation to dinosaurs and our earths history.
The replica comes in 3 sections, the main head section and the two horn cores, since they were not attached to the skull any more. All parts of the skull are cast in a plastic resin, making them extremely tough. They are painted to match the original patina of the fossil. The detail of the teeth come out great in the replica. The horn cores are similar, but the left horn core has 3 large horns coming out and the right has only one.
Dimensions: The main skull section is about 20" long. The horn cores measure about 8" long each.
(Click on any image for a larger view)
The Replica: (CKP-STD06)
The replica was created by molding the original fossil in 4 sections. The two horn cores were not directly attached to the skull due to the crushing. It is amazing that they survived at all when you look how crushed the skull is. The skull was then divided into a main section containing everything below the orbit and up to the snout, and the elements above the orbit. Once poured, the two skull sections are re-attached, but the horn cores remain separate.
Image A is of the left side of the skull. This is the best side, showing a decent profile. The jugal has a really nice horn (osteoderm). You can see that all of the snout had become dissarticulated and piled up. It looks like all of the elements of the snout and nasal are present, including the pre maxilla and predentary! Image B is of the two horn cores. The one on the right is the left one and the one on the left is the right one. Image C is a close-up of the left maxilla and dentary. Image D is another left profile image. Image E is of the right side. This was exposed to the surface and experienced severe weathering. There are very few identifiable parts, but there is a tooth row! The teeth can be seen in Image F & G. Image H is a top-down view. Here, you can see the left squamosal shelf and you can really see how crushed the skull is.
This replica will make a great addition to any Late Cretaceous collection. It is small and looks very interesting. Katie Busch is working on drawing of what the skull might have looked like before it was crushed to help viewers to better understand what they are seeing.
Image A Image B Image C Image D
Image E Image F Image G Image H
The Original Fossil: (CKP-STD06)
The original fossil for this replica was collected on private land in North Eastern Montana. It comes from the upper Hell Creek Formation. The fossil was crushed, but contained the dentary area which was not present on the previous specimen. The replica is an exact copy of the original fossil in its original condition. This is the first Dracorex skull available to be purchased. The original fossil is currently being prepared further to separate the individual skull elements.
Preparation & Casting Process -- The preparation and casting was conducted by CK Preparations.
Preparation Images -- Below are some images of the skull during the preparation process.
During the preparation, a tooth from the front of the dentary was exposed! The tooth has the appearance of being serrated. This cannot be seen in this replica but may be available at a later date.
Images above are of the left dentary tooth with what appears to be
serrations. Further preparation will be conducted to learn more.
"Sandy", a Pachysephalosaur collected by Triebold Paleontology,
has a similar tooth pattern.
Systematic Paleontology
Pachycephalosauridae Sternberg, 1945
Pachycephalosaurini Sullivan, 2003
Dracorex, n. gen.
Type Species - Dracorex hogwartsia, n. gen., n.sp.
Distribution - late Cretaceous of North America.
Etymology - from the Latin words: draco (meaning dragon) + rex (meaning king). Translation: "dragon king"
Diagnosis - same as for species.
Holotype - TCMI 2004.17.1, nearly complete skull, one lower tooth, plus first, third, eighth and ninth cervical vertebra..
Etymology - After the fictional "Hogwarts Academy," invention of author J.K. Rowling, the species named in honor of her contribution to children's education and the joy of exploration.
Pachycephalosauridae Sternberg, 1945
Pachycephalosaurini Sullivan, 2003
Dracorex, n. gen.
Type Species - Dracorex hogwartsia, n. gen., n.sp.
Distribution - late Cretaceous of North America.
Etymology - from the Latin words: draco (meaning dragon) + rex (meaning king). Translation: "dragon king"
Diagnosis - same as for species.
Holotype - TCMI 2004.17.1, nearly complete skull, one lower tooth, plus first, third, eighth and ninth cervical vertebra..
Etymology - After the fictional "Hogwarts Academy," invention of author J.K. Rowling, the species named in honor of her contribution to children's education and the joy of exploration.
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This
specimen and all images relating to it are property of CK Preparations.
Limited use rights of the images are given to those who purchase the specimen.
It is illegal to reproduce this specimen for any reason. CK Preparations ©2007
-----------------------------------
Limited use rights of the images are given to those who purchase the specimen.
It is illegal to reproduce this specimen for any reason. CK Preparations ©2007
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