Leonardo is a 77 million-year-old Brachylophosaurus canadensis or duckbilled dinosaur. The specimen was discovered during an exploration workshop conducted by Nate Murphy of the Judith River Dinosaur Institute the summer of 2000 in Montana. Nate led a group of volunteers and professional paleontologists in the excavation which took eight months to complete and yielded the most remarkable dinosaur fossil ever recovered.
Leonardo's cast was wrapped with a steel frame and carefully transported to Malta, Montana where Nate, his son Matt and a few select and skilled bone preparation artists spent many, many hours “cleaning” out the concrete like matrix in which the bones were encased. Leonardo was quickly buried in a fine sand which, when set up, had the consistency of a sidewalk!
This remarkable dinosaur fossil is changing many ideas about dinosaurs and brings a wealth of new data and knowledge. Leonardo presents a complete cross section of the digestive system. For the first time scientists are able to study the process, not only of what the dinosaur ate, but how he chewed and digested as well.
Through radiological scanning technologies, scientists may also get a peek at his internal organs including a dinosaur heart. The question, “Were dinosaurs cold blooded or warm blooded?” could be answered once and for all. No wonder everyone is so excited about Leonardo!
Leonardo is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most perfectly preserved dinosaur fossil in existence. More than 90 percent of his body is covered with fossilized skin, which is clearly imprinted with the pattern of his scales. Leonardo is considered a “mummy” because so much of his soft tissue is preserved. Not only his skin, but his internal organs, have been fossilized with the bones.
Further study has been completed and more of his story will be told in the “Dinosaur Mummy, CSI” exhibit opening September 19, 2008 at the Houston Museum of Science and Industry. The Discovery Channel presented, "Secrets of the Dinosaur Mummy," a program on Leonardo, September 14th, 2008. This wonderfully executed program is the continuation of the Leonardo story that began with, Meet Leonardo, The Mummy Dinosaur, proudly presented by MrVideoDinosaurs.com.
Meet Leonardo, the Mummy Dinosaur, is the only program with the exclusive footage of the excavation of the fossil as well as its casting and removal to Malta, Montana. (The images of his excavation in the Discovery Channel program were staged. Ours are actual. )
Part one of the 47 minute video features the excavation process, skin or no skin discussions, a few laughs and the incredible eight ton bone-cast! Part two of the program presents the formal unveiling of the life size model of Leonardo. Nate Murphy discusses the science, discoveries and significance of this most remarkable dinosaur in his entertaining and humorous way. Dr. Robert Bakker, the noted paleontologist also makes a guest appearance.
Leonardo will yield ongoing news and discoveries as the investigation of the dinosaur mummy continues.
Purchase Meet Leonardo Here. (DinosaursonDVD page)
