A remarkably well-preserved stegosaur skull has been discovered near Riodeva in Teruel province, Spain, at the Están de Colón quarry. This discovery marks the most complete stegosaur skull found in Europe and belongs to the species Dacentrurus armatus. The find allows paleontologists to re-evaluate stegosaur evolution and challenge existing assumptions.
The skull, along with over 200 other bones, represents at least two individuals, including a juvenile. This mixed-age collection is rare for stegosaurs, offering insights into growth stages. Researchers analyzed the skull and other data from 30 stegosaur species, leading to the proposal of a new clade, Neostegosauria. This group includes plated dinosaurs from the Middle and Late Jurassic periods in Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia into the Early Cretaceous period.
Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa, paleontologist at the Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel-Dinópolis, emphasizes the skull's significance. The restored skull will be displayed at Dinópolis, enhancing Teruel's reputation as a key dinosaur site. This discovery, made in 2025, marks the 150th anniversary of the first description of Dacentrurus armatus.