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On a cloudy morning in southeast Mongolia, paleontologist Chinzorig Tsogtbaatar spotted a gleaming dome on a Cretaceous outcrop—the skull of a new pachycephalosaur. Described in Nature as Zavacephale rinpoche, it is the first definitive early Cretaceous member of the group and 15 million years older than any previously known. Excavation yielded the most complete pachycephalosaur skeleton yet: a juvenile with a fully developed, spike-edged dome, tiny hand bones, stomach stones, and a tail stiffened by bony tendons. Researchers were 'enchanted' and 'stunned,' and the specimen has returned to Mongolia’s Academy of Sciences for safekeeping and study.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.