World's Only Complete T. Rex Skeleton To Be Housed At North Carolina Museum

The world's only 100% complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton will be displayed at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The "Dueling Dinosaurs" display includes skeletons of the young T. rex and full grown Triceratops horridus, which were buried together around 67 million years ago.

Scientists have speculated the reason the fossils were found together is that the dinosaurs may have fought to their deaths.

"This is a murder mystery 67 million years in the making," said Dr. Lindsay Zanno, head of paleontology at the museum. "This is the kind of thing that makes a paleo team drool. It's like a Christmas present sitting in this unopened package, and we get to open it with the public slowly, over time, and have those discoveries revealed."

The fossils were uncovered about 10 years ago in Hells Creek, Montana. Both were very well preserved, but the T. rex is the only known complete specimen ever found, according to the museum. They also appear to have skin preservation and the bones are in their natural position.

"We have not yet studied this specimen; it is a scientific frontier. The preservation is phenomenal, and we plan to use every technological innovation available to reveal new information on the biology of T. rex and Triceratops," said Zanno. "This fossil will forever change our view of the world's two favorite dinosaurs,"

Zanno continued, "The way we have designed the entire experience — inviting the public to follow the scientific discoveries in real time and participate in the research — will set a new standard for museums."

Construction on the Dueling Dinosaurs display will begin next year on the ground floor of the Nature Research Center and is expected to be revealed in 2022.

Photo: Getty Images