Allosaurus fragilis
Superorder Dinosauria, Order Saurischia, Suborder Theropoda, Family Allosauridae
Geological Time: Late Jurassic
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Dinosaur tooth is 31 mm long, 15 mm base width on a 45 mm by 45 mm by 23 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Morrison Formation, Bone Cabin Quarry, Laramie, Wyoming USA
Code: AW21
Price: $165.00 - sold
 Description:
This is a fine example of a tooth from a theropod dinosaur known
as Allosaurus. The dinosaur was named by O.C. Marsh in the latter
part of the 19tth century. This was a large predator with three-fingered
hands designed for grappling with prey it would subdue with the
many large, sharp teeth in its jaws.. In 1897 a field crew from
the American Museum of Natural History returned to the region of
Como Bluff to prospect for bones. They discovered the ruins of
a sheepherder’s  cabin a few miles away. The region was so
rich in bones that a new quarry was established and given the name
Bone Cabin Quarry. The remains of many dinosaurs, mostly sauropods,
have been removed in the years since, with some material still
being collected today. Other than sauropods, dinosaur remains of
Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Ornitholestes were also removed form
the quarry. The tooth has a repaired crack, but NO RESTORATION.
Note the wear facet evident in the last photos, a result of natural
wear as the Allosuarus fed upon its prey. It is not known whether
the tip was lost in life or after the dinosaur died. My favorite
display is that of an Allosaurus feeding on the skeleton of an
Apatosaurus at the American Museum of Natural History in New York
City. This specimen and several others I was able to acquire were
obtained from an individual who has been doing preparation work
on this material who was given some specimens as compensation.
Here is a UNIQUE opportunity to obtain a fossil from one of the
historic sites known worldwide. |
