11.3" Tyrannosaur (Daspletosaurus?) Dorsal Vertebra w/ Stand- Montana

Tyrannosaur (Daspletosaurus?) Dorsal Vertebra w/ Stand- Montana #227749

This is an incredibly well preserved, 11.3" tall Tyrannosaur (Daspletosaurus sp.?) dorsal vertebra from the Two Medicine Formation of Montana. It was collected this last summer from our partner's private lease and has been nicely prepared from the hard rock surrounding it. The centrum is overall in great condition with some weathering along the edges and gap fill restoration through a crack across the posterior facing side of the centrum.

It sits beautifully on the included custom metal display stand.

There are three described Tyrannosaurs found in the Two Medicine formation (Daspletosaurus, Gorgosaurus & Albertosaurus). An isolated vertebra would probably be indistinguishable between the three species. But, based on prevalence of material found at the quarry it is believed this most likely Daspletosaurus.

Restoration to this vert can be found in the form of gap fill in spots where the bone was unrecoverable. Most of this restoration is superior to the pedicles, primarily through the spinous process and the posterior side of the vertebra. Rock has been left within the neural canal for structural integrity purposes.

The Two Medicine Formation is a geographical formation in Central Montana and Southern Alberta, Canada. The formation is predominantly sandstone laid down by rivers and deltas during the Campanian Age of the Cretaceous, about 80-75 million years ago. Approximately two thousand feet thick on the western edge, it lies on top of the Virgelle Sandstone formation and under the Bearpaw Shale. It is located between the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and the Sweetgrass Arch, a tectonic fold feature 40-90 miles east of the Front Range.

The Two Medicine is the same age as the Judith River Formation found further east. It was laid down further inland from the Western Interior Seaway, while the Judith River Formation was deposited along the coast. The Two Medicine contains much of the same dinosaur fauna, but fewer reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic fossils.

A view of the Two Medicine Formation quarry operated by Northwest Montana Fossils, where much of our Two Medicine dinosaur material has been found.