Most complete dome-head dinosaur found

Paleontologists have identified the most complete and oldest known pachycephalosaur, a discovery that pushes back the origin of dome-headed dinosaurs by at least 14 million years.

The fossil, named Zavacephale rinpoche – with “rinpoche” meaning “precious one” in Tibetan – was unearthed in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Dating to between 115 and 108 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous, the specimen predates all previously known dome-headed dinosaurs by a significant margin.

Remarkably, the fossil preserves a nearly complete skull, along with the first recorded pachycephalosaur hand and an entire tail. These features make it the most complete pachycephalosaur yet discovered, offering researchers unprecedented insights into this group of ornithischian dinosaurs

.The hallmark dome-shaped skull of pachycephalosaurs remains a subject of debate among scientists. Some suggest it may have been used as a form of self-defense, while others argue it served in attracting mates or fending off rivals.

The discovery of Zavacephale rinpoche not only rewrites the evolutionary timeline of pachycephalosaurs but also sheds light on their anatomy and behaviour.