Mummy Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 is one of the dinosaur fossils that has been very well preserved. This fossil is displayed in the collection American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Researchers managed to find the mummy in the United States near Lusk, Wyoming in 1908.
Read Also: Interesting Phenomenon in the Wild, How Wolves Mark Their Mates
Identify Findings Musister PM, 5600
Table of Contents
Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 is the first dinosaur specimen discovered. Researchers managed to find a mummified skeleton covered in skin prints from the largest part of the body. At that time, the discovery was attributed to the species Edmontosaurus annectens.
The Beginning of Discovery Edmontosaurus mummy
Initially, fossil hunter Charles Hazelius Sternberg succeeded in finding it Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060. He and his three sons managed to find a mummy in the Lance Formation. This region is a division of Late Cretaceous rocks in the western United States.
Then, Henry Fairfield Osborn from AMNH managed to secure the mummy. Henry Fairfield describes Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 in detail in 1912. Since then, many dinosaur mummies have been found in similar preservation conditions.
The Findings Are Natural Mummy Fossils
Researchers find fossils Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 in a supine position. The mummy’s neck is seen twisted backwards with its front limbs stretched out. The skeleton itself is quite complete except for the tail, hind legs and back of the pelvis.
All the bones are preserved and still connected to each other. About two-thirds of the mummy’s skin is still intact. Existing fossil specimens show that the mummy’s skin was relatively soft with two types of small scales 1-5 millimeters in diameter. The scales do not overlap each other.
Read Also: Exposing the Truth about Glow-In-The-Dark Bats in America
Different from other dinosaur mummies, the skin on the mummy Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 attached tightly to the bone. Some of the skin is also pulled into the body. This shows that the specimen carcass had dried out before being buried. Thus, the findings are classified as natural mummified fossils.
After dehydration, it is likely that the mummy was quickly buried by river sediments. Then, bacteria around the mummy carcass helped harden the sediment. The result, fossils Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 can be very well preserved.
The Most Sensational Finds in the World of Paleontology
Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 renowned as one of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils. The scientific value of this mummy lies in its very high level of preservation. This can be seen from the articulation of the bones in their original anatomical position and the traces of skin covering the specimen.
In 1911, Henry Fairfield Osborn said that this fossil provided vast new knowledge. Fossil discoveries provide knowledge about the living habits of certain groups. In fact, specimen findings Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 almost doubling the understanding of previous scientists.
For information, before discovery Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060traces of dinosaur skin are only known from a few small pieces. This is what led to the discovery of a mummy Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 so sensational in the world of paleontology.
Series of Other Mummy Findings
The Sternberg family managed to find a second mummy in 1910. The findings are stored in the Naturmuseum Senckenberg, Frankfurt, Germany. Although the skeleton is more complete, the level of preservation of the mummy is not as good Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060.
Then, Barnum Brown also managed to find similar fossils in 1912. These findings were located in Alberta, Canada. Then, experts named this discovery as Corythosaurus. This specimen belongs to a genus of dinosaur hadrosaurid duck-billed from the Late Cretaceous period.
Apart from that, Sternberg also managed to find another mummy. He sent these findings to the British Museum during World War I. Unfortunately, these fossils were lost when the ship carrying them (SS Mount Temple) was sunk by Germany in 1916. After this series of discoveries, no more dinosaur mummies were found until 2000. More precisely when the fossils Brachylophosaurus named “Leonardo” found in Montana.
Furthermore, the researchers succeeded in making new discoveries in the presence of mummies Edmontosaurus named “Dakota”. Researchers excavated the mummy in 2006 in the Hell Creek Formation, North Dakota.
Read Also: Ancient Human Paranthropus Boisei Had Habits Similar to Modern Humans
Mummy findings Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 provide important insights for researchers. Where, this specimen is famous as a find with the best level of preservation. Interestingly, mummy Edmontosaurus AMNH 5060 categorized as natural fossils from processes that occur in the wild. (R10/HR-Online)
