Paleontologists discover Sask.’s 1st fossil specimens of horned centrosaurus

Paleontologists discover Sask.’s 1st fossil specimens of horned centrosaurus

Fossils found along South Saskatchewan River at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park

People shoveling sand at a site.
Researchers say the site provides the first look at a coastal habitat in Saskatchewan, showing how large terrestrial dinosaurs like centrosaurus shared space with marine animals. (Submitted by Katherine Dumas)

McGill University students and paleontologists have documented Saskatchewan’s first known fossil specimens of centrosaurus, a horned dinosaur species, along the South Saskatchewan River. Researchers say it gives a peek into what the province looked like more than 75 million years ago.

Centrosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur with one horn on its snout and spines around the back of its neck frill.

Researchers say the discovery site at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, dubbed the Lake Diefenbaker Bonebed,  reveals an environment unlike any previously documented in Canada.

Fossils.
The partial right parietal found from Lake Diefenbaker Bonebed believed to be from a centrosaurus. (Submitted by Alexandre Demers-Potvin)