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RARE MATRIX SPECIMEN FINE GRADE NANOTYRANNUS TYRANNOSAUR DINOSAUR ANTERIOR TOOTH IN ORIGINAL MATRIX FROM THE LANCE FORMATION Lance Formation - Lance Creek, Wyoming, U.S.A. LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 68 - 65 million years ago No dinosaur commands more respect and fascination than the members of the tyrannosaur family. Throughout the world and across a many cultures, the tyrannosaur dinosaurs are regarded without equal - true living, breathing dragons that once walked the Earth. Without question, fine quality fossils of these dinosaurs will steadily appreciate in value and price year after year as the growing number of collectors puts increasing pressure on the market supply of decreasing fine specimens for sale. The limited legal collecting regions in the United States continue to be scavenged and produce less and less high grade fossil remains with each passing year. Found in the famous Lance Formation from which this tyrannosaur was first discovered, this is a fossil tooth from Nanotyrannus lancensis, a member of the tyrannosaurid family. It is RARE for two reasons - this is one of the few ANTERIOR PRE-MAX FANG TEETH that are found up at the front of the skull. Secondly, it is still in its original matrix as found. It was broken when dug and has one single fracture repair but is in otherwise spectacular preservation. Very unusual narrow geometry with dramatic offset medial ridge. This is THE FIRST NANOTYRANNUS MATRIX TOOTH AND THE FIRST PRE-MAX FANG WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. The tooth is complete with full tip and base where it went into the jaw. The tooth has a wonderful intact dark brown enamel sheen. The cross-sectional profile is robust. Tooth has repair but NO FABRICATION. Scarce example! Nanotyrannus lancensis was first discovered in the Lance Formation of Wyoming, U.S.A., hence the 'lancensis' name. The name 'Nanotyrannus' means "tiny tyrant" but at approximately 17 feet in length, Nanotyrannus was not exactly tiny, just small in comparison to its fellow tyrannosaurids. Its best known relative is the larger Tyrannosaurus rex. Like all tyrannosaurs, Nanotyrannus was a bi-pedal carnivore. It had narrow hips, a slim tail, long legs with three-toed feet and short arms with two-fingered hands. Its short, thick neck carried a large head with large jaws of sharp curved and serrated teeth. It is theorized that it weighed less than 1000 pounds. More than 20 Nanotyrannus teeth, one as small as 0.4 inches in length, were found scattered amongst the bones of the famous Triceratops skeleton KELSEY indicating possible multiple Nanotyrannus dinosaurs were responsible for the kill. It is theorized by some that these ferocious tyrannosaurs might have hunted in packs like dromaeosaurs.
Considerable controversy has surrounded this dinosaur in recent times. The only fossil remains are a single 22 inch skull discovered in 1942 and collected teeth. In 1988, paleontologists M. Williams, R. Bakker, and P. J. Currie examined the skull and theorized it is from a new species of tyrannosaur. Other paleontologists claim it is a juvenile T. rex. Studies are ongoing but based on indisputable evidence on the differences in structure of Tyrannosaur rex teeth and that of Nanotyrannus teeth as well as the more graceful leg bones of Nanotyrannus, it is most likely that Nanotyrannus is not only a valid species but the fastest tyrannosaur that ever lived. RARE ON TWO COUNTS - TOOTH IS AN ANTERIOR PRE-MAX FANG TOOTH (VERY FEW PER SKULL) AND TOOTH IS IN ORIGINAL MATRIX! 1.2" long on the dorsal curve SOLD DT18-042 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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Special thanks to MINEO SHIRAISHI and TODD MARSHALL for permission to use their dinosaur artwork ALL IMAGES SHOWN ABOVE ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY |
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