First-ever skull of ancient European stegosaur Dacentrurus revealed
Rare stegosaur skull discovery sheds light on Jurassic giant from England
A major breakthrough in dinosaur science: for the first time, researchers have uncovered a complete skull of Dacentrurus armatus, one of Europe’s oldest and largest stegosaurs.
Photo: sci. news by С. Санчес-Феноллоса и А. Кобос is licensed under doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e146618
Череп Dacentrurus Armatus
Until now, only partial skeletons had been found, leaving much of its appearance unknown. This new fossil reveals critical details about the dinosaur’s head structure, teeth, and feeding habits.
According to this report from Sci.News, the skull was unearthed in the Kimmeridge Clay formation in southern England and dates back around 150 million years.
What we knew vs. what we know now
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Body shape and tail | Skull is long and narrow |
| Likely herbivore | Jaw shows signs of complex chewing |
| Unclear facial features | Well-preserved dental structures |
| Known from European fossils | Confirmed presence in southern UK |
Myths and facts about stegosaurs
- Myth: All stegosaurs looked the same
Fact: Dacentrurus had a unique, robust skull and was quite distinct. - Myth: Stegosaurs didn’t chew food well
Fact: This species had developed jaws and tooth rows for chewing plants.
FAQ
- Why is this find important?
It’s the first complete skull of the species, giving insight into its biology and behavior. - Where was it found?
In the Kimmeridge Clay formation, late Jurassic England.
Fun facts
- Dacentrurus grew up to 10 meters long
- Its skull was unlike North American stegosaurs
- One of the few stegosaurs known from Europe
This new fossil gives Dacentrurus a face — and transforms our understanding of Europe’s Jurassic ecosystem.
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