Once in a lifetime, a discovery is made that completely changes the way we look at paleontology. In 2006, a group of dinosaur hunters, “Dino Cowboy” Clayton Phipps, Mark Eatman and Chad O'Connor, made such a discovery. Dubbed the ‘Montana Dueling Dinosaurs,’ this exciting find consists of two of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found in the Hell Creek Formation. They have been tentatively identified as Nanotyrannus lancensis (a tyrannosaurid related to T. rex) and an unidentified Chasmosaurine (a ceratopsian related to Triceratops). Peter Larson, President of Black Hills Institute of Geological Research (BHI), speculates the animals were engaged in a ‘to the death’ struggle, ultimately resulting in their demise.

BHI represents the collectors and landowners in offering this magnificent pair of Dueling Dinosaurs for sale to a suitable home. Read full description...

Peter Larson’s Detailed Report Download PDF

• Predator and prey skeletons virtually complete
• Skeletons were actually touching
• Evidence points to battle interaction at time of death

• Skin found with Chasmosaurine
• Chasmosaurine may be undescribed species
• May solve controversy regarding Nanotyrannus vs. juvenile T. rex

Wow, Amazing! What Do I Do Now?

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If you think your venue would benefit from the addition of these fine specimens, contact Black Hills Institute’s sales staff to discuss pricing and services.

Check Out Some Background & Research

• Black Hills Institute of Geological Research’s web site and intro video.
• Paleo-Incident Project for background on early preparation by CK Preparations.
• Nanotyrannus information on Wikipedia.
• Chasmosaurine information on Wikipedia.

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‘Montana Dueling Dinosaurs’

Offered By Black Hills Institute

Once in a lifetime, a discovery is made that completely changes the way we look at paleontology. In 2006, a group of dinosaur hunters, “Dino Cowboy” Clayton Phipps, Mark Eatman and Chad O'Connor, made such a discovery. Dubbed the ‘Montana Dueling Dinosaurs,’ this exciting find consists of two of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found in the Hell Creek Formation. They have been tentatively identified as Nanotyrannus lancensis (a tyrannosaurid related to T. rex) and an unidentified Chasmosaurine (a ceratopsian related to Triceratops). Peter Larson, President of Black Hills Institute of Geological Research (BHI), speculates the animals were engaged in a ‘to the death’ struggle, ultimately resulting in their demise.

What is amazing is that not only are the two skeletons virtually complete, they are both articulated and in such close proximity that they are touching. There is also enough evidence to suggest that they may have inflicted fatal injuries to each other. Nanotyrannus teeth, found within the carcass of the horned dinosaur, seem to point to time-of-death battle injuries. Other evidence, such as the lateral crushing of the Nanotyrannus skull and pectoral girdle, implies that the Chasmosaurine may have inflicted the fatal wounds that killed its attacker. To add to the excitement, it also appears that both the Chasmosaurine and the Nanotyrannus preserve skin in association with each skeleton!

This remarkable find is only the second known occurrence where a theropod (meat eating dinosaur) and its ornithischian (herbivorous dinosaur) prey have been found preserved together, locked in what appears to be mortal combat. The earlier and already famous specimen, known as the “Fighting Dinosaurs,” was collected in Mongolia in 1971. In that incident a Velociraptor died with its arm trapped within the jaws of a Protoceratops and its foot claws seemingly tearing at the belly of its plant eating prey. The “Fighting Dinosaurs” are less than one-sixth the size of this new and remarkable find, yet it has received world-wide acclaim.

Black Hills Institute of Geological Research represents the collectors and landowners in offering this magnificent pair of Dueling Dinosaurs for sale to a suitable home. Please contact us for more information.